8 fake National Security operatives arrested for alleged robbery of miners in Assin Awisam

Eight individuals were arrested for allegedly robbing illegal miners of gold, cash, and mobile phones on Friday afternoon at Assin Awisam in the Central Region. The suspects, one of whom is reportedly the son of a Municipal Chief Executive, are said to have stormed the community in a black Mitsubishi pick-up truck with registration GS 8293-18 and a Toyota Voxy. The group conducted an operation during which they seized valuables from miners.

Residents accused the group of repeated extortion under the guise of state security operations. Some community members confronted the suspects, deflated the tyres of their vehicles, and attempted to lynch them. Community leaders intervened and handed the suspects over to the police in Awisam. Angry youth besieged the police station, prompting the Assin North Regional Police Command to deploy reinforcement. During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted taking some mobile phones but denied stealing gold. George Anokye said that the incident was not isolated, alleging that the same group had been harassing miners over time. He said the suspects had previously extorted money from miners and, in one instance last year, allegedly set ablaze a water pumping machine belonging to a miner after he failed to meet their demands, despite reportedly paying GH¢120,000.

The suspects were later transferred to Assin Foso under tight security. All eight suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations.