The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over investigations 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.
According to a statement signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Director-General of Public Affairs, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has been invited by the CID to assist in the ongoing investigation.
The MP is alleged to have incited a mob and obstructed the operations of the NAIMOS task force during a law enforcement exercise on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the NAIMOS Director and his team had intercepted a group of illegal miners operating near Bronikrom in the Ahafo Region.
During the operation, several suspects were arrested, and exhibits retrieved included a Smith & Wesson pistol, two pistol magazines, 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and multiple mobile phones.
While the team was preparing to hand over the arrested suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo allegedly arrived at the scene accompanied by a group of men and demanded the immediate release of the suspects. When his demand was not met, the group reportedly overpowered the task force, forcibly removed the suspects’ handcuffs, and chased the officers from the area.
Later that day, a mob estimated at about 600 people, allegedly mobilized by the MP, stormed the Hwidiem Police Station, demanding the release of the suspects and seized vehicles.
The crowd vandalized the vehicle belonging to the NAIMOS Director, damaged portions of the police station, and threatened to burn down the facility.
Reinforcement teams from the Ahafo Regional Police Command were swiftly deployed to restore order and prevent further destruction. The situation was eventually brought under control through the combined efforts of the police, military, and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, who intervened to mediate the standoff and ensure the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS officers. The Chief’s vehicle was damaged in the process, though no injuries were reported.
The Ghana Police Service, in its statement, strongly condemned the attack and warned against any form of interference with law enforcement duties.
It further announced the launch of a special operation aimed at identifying and arresting all those involved in the assault and destruction of property to ensure they face justice.
