The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested several suspected illegal miners following an enforcement operation at Subin Akwaaboso in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region, where its personnel reportedly faced resistance from individuals armed with firearms, cutlasses and other offensive weapons. Editorial Standards
The operation took place on Sunday afternoon, November 1, 2026, and involved NAIMOS officers and personnel from the Ghana Navy’s Special Boat Squadron (SBS).
The confrontation raised security concerns for the enforcement team, accompanying journalists and other people at the scene.
In a statement issued on Monday, November 2, NAIMOS said some individuals confronted the task force as it carried out its duties.
The Secretariat said the officers exercised restraint and took steps to prevent the situation from escalating into a more serious incident.
Armed individuals resist anti-galamsey operation
According to NAIMOS, the enforcement team encountered considerable resistance from a group of individuals, some of whom were reportedly carrying cutlasses, firearms and other offensive weapons.
The operation was led by the Secretariat’s Director of Operations, Colonel K. S. Appiah, who reportedly exercised maximum restraint and took measures to prevent the confrontation from developing into a violent clash.
The Secretariat said the conduct of the individuals created risks for its personnel and other people present during the exercise.
Although the statement did not provide the exact number of people arrested, it confirmed that several suspected illegal miners had been taken into custody. Editorial Ethics & Independence
A report highlighted the arrests and the resistance encountered by the task force.
The report also quoted NAIMOS as warning that individuals suspected of attacking its officers or obstructing lawful enforcement operations would be referred to the appropriate authorities.
Mining equipment discovered along the Offin River
The enforcement exercise targeted illegal mining activities at Subin Akwaaboso, where operations had reportedly been taking place along the Offin River.
According to reports, the task force uncovered a large mining site where several Chanfang machines had been mounted and deployed on the river for illegal mining activities.
Chanfang machines are commonly used in small-scale mining operations, but their deployment in unauthorised locations can contribute to serious environmental damage, particularly when mining activities take place directly within river systems.
The operation formed part of an ongoing anti-galamsey crackdown that had intensified across parts of the country. Corrections Policy
A source reported that the Subin exercise was the fourth day of the enforcement campaign, with personnel from the Ashanti Region joining the Director of Operations and a team from NAIMOS headquarters.
Footage from the operation reportedly captured tense scenes as some residents mobilised in large numbers on motorcycles, with some carrying weapons. Gunshots were also heard during the confrontation, according to the report.
The incident demonstrates the security challenges facing enforcement teams as they attempt to disrupt illegal mining activities in areas where operators or other individuals are prepared to resist state intervention.
NAIMOS warns against attacks on enforcement personnel
Following the incident, NAIMOS reiterated that obstructing lawful enforcement operations and attacking personnel carrying out their duties would be treated as serious concerns.
The Secretariat said individuals suspected of engaging in such conduct would be referred to the relevant authorities for the necessary action.
It also stressed that its operations would remain within the law, with officers expected to take necessary and proportionate measures to protect themselves, accompanying journalists and members of the public. Newscard
NAIMOS further appealed to traditional authorities, community leaders and residents to support lawful enforcement activities and communicate their concerns through the appropriate channels rather than resorting to confrontation.
The Secretariat maintained that cooperation from local communities was important to achieving lasting results in the fight against illegal mining.
Wider crackdown targets illegal mining across Ghana
The Subin operation forms part of broader efforts by NAIMOS to disrupt illegal mining activities affecting Ghana’s rivers, forests and other environmentally sensitive areas.
Reports stated that NAIMOS had arrested 11 suspected illegal miners during separate operations in the Western and Eastern Regions.
Those exercises targeted mining activities at the Cape Three Points Forest in the Western Region, Abrokyire-Krobo in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality and the Apapam-Asikem area in the Eastern Region.
The operations also resulted in the destruction of several Chanfang machines, water pumps, generator plants and makeshift structures allegedly used for illegal mining.
The arrests and equipment seizures reflect the Secretariat’s efforts to prevent mining activities from returning to locations previously cleared by enforcement teams.
However, the Subin confrontation highlights a different dimension of the challenge, the risks posed to officers when illegal mining operations encounter resistance from armed individuals.
Environmental protection remains a major concern
Illegal mining continues to pose serious threats to Ghana’s natural resources, particularly rivers that serve as sources of water for households, agriculture and other economic activities.
Mining in riverbeds and surrounding areas can increase sedimentation, introduce harmful substances into water bodies and damage aquatic ecosystems. Privacy Policy & Terms
The destruction of vegetation and riverbanks can also worsen erosion and affect communities that depend on these resources.
The continued deployment of enforcement teams is therefore important, but sustainable progress will also require effective prosecution, monitoring of cleared sites and cooperation from communities.
For now, NAIMOS has indicated that it will maintain its enforcement efforts in collaboration with security agencies, regulatory institutions and local communities.
The arrests at Subin Akwaaboso mark another development in Ghana’s anti-galamsey campaign, while the reported armed resistance serves as a reminder of the security difficulties involved in protecting the country’s environment.
The identities of those arrested, the specific charges they may face and the outcome of subsequent investigations had not been detailed in the reports available at the time of publication.