The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to take over the investigation into an attack on the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and his team at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.
The directive follows a violent incident on Saturday, November 1, 2025, during which the NAIMOS Director and his team were attacked by a mob after intercepting illegal miners operating near Bronikrom.
According to preliminary police investigations, the NAIMOS team arrested several suspects and retrieved exhibits, including a Smith & Wesson pistol, ammunition, two pistol magazines, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and several mobile phones.
In a statement issued by the police, while the team was preparing to hand over the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, reportedly arrived at the scene with a group and demanded their release.
When the demand was refused, the mob forcibly freed the suspects and chased the NAIMOS team from the area.
A mob of about 600 people, allegedly incited by the MP, later besieged the Hwidiem Police Station, demanding the release of the arrested miners and vandalising vehicles, including that of the NAIMOS Director. They also damaged parts of the police station and attempted to set the facility ablaze.
Security reinforcements from the Ahafo Regional Command, together with the military, eventually restored calm with assistance from the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, who helped mediate and facilitate the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS team. The Chief’s vehicle was damaged during the process, but no injuries were reported.
The police say the Asutifi North MP has been invited to assist with ongoing investigations.
