Ghanaian Security operatives from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) have arrested three Chinese nationals and one Ghanaian during a targeted operation at an illegal mining (galamsey) site at Adum Banso K9 in the Mpohor District of the Western Region.
The arrests were made on Monday, February 9, 2026, at about 11:20 a.m., following sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance on suspected illegal mining activities in the area. The operation forms part of ongoing national efforts to clamp down on galamsey, which continues to threaten Ghana’s forests, water bodies, farmlands, and road infrastructure.
Details of the raid were made public on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, through a social media update. According to him, the taskforce moved in after confirming the presence of foreign nationals and heavy equipment operating unlawfully at the site.
Suspects Tried to Escape
During the coordinated swoop, the suspects reportedly attempted to flee upon detecting the approach of the taskforce. They used two separate vehicles in an effort to escape arrest but were swiftly intercepted by officers and taken into custody.
The suspects were arrested while traveling in a Mitsubishi pickup truck with registration number GT 3850-13 and a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS 572-25. Both vehicles were immediately seized as part of the operation.
A preliminary assessment of the mining site after the arrests revealed clear evidence of mechanised illegal mining. Officers discovered tracks indicating that two excavators had recently been moved from active mining spots and concealed in nearby bushes in a bid to evade seizure.
Excavators Immobilised
Due to the unavailability of lowbed trucks to transport the excavators, the taskforce took steps to prevent the machines from being used again. Officers removed two control boards and two oil pumps from the excavators, effectively rendering them inoperable. This measure, according to NAIMOS, is a standard temporary intervention to halt illegal mining operations when immediate evacuation of machinery is not feasible.
In addition to the excavators and vehicles, the taskforce destroyed several mining tools and equipment found at the site, further disrupting operations at the illegal mining enclave.
Suspects Handed Over for Further Action
The three Chinese nationals arrested during the raid have been transported, together with the seized vehicles, to the NAIMOS Headquarters for further investigations. They are expected to be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service in accordance with established procedures involving foreign nationals engaged in illegal mining activities.
The Ghanaian suspect, identified as Isaac Armah, is believed to be the site foreman overseeing daily operations at the galamsey site. He has been handed over to the Mpohor Police Station to assist with ongoing investigations and to face possible prosecution under Ghana’s mining and environmental laws.
NAIMOS Vows Sustained Operations
Commenting on the operation, the Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Colonel Dominic Buah, reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led and targeted raids across illegal mining hotspots nationwide.
He acknowledged that the taskforce continues to face logistical challenges, including limited patrol vehicles, inadequate lowbed trucks for hauling excavators, and a shortage of surveillance drones. However, Colonel Buah stressed that these constraints have not weakened the resolve of NAIMOS to pursue its mandate.
According to him, the intensified operations are gradually dismantling deeply rooted illegal mining networks that have caused extensive damage to cocoa farms, forest reserves, and public infrastructure, while heavily polluting major rivers and streams that serve as sources of drinking water for many communities.
Colonel Buah warned that the taskforce would not relent and urged the public to support the fight against galamsey by providing timely information to security agencies. He emphasised that protecting Ghana’s natural resources remains a national priority and requires collective effort from state institutions, traditional authorities, and local communities alike.
Source: Africa Publicity
