NAIMOS dawn operation leads to arrest of 49 suspected illegal miners after ambush on taskforce in Ahanta West

NAIMOS survived an ambush after an illegal mining gang opened fire on them during an operation on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Adiewoso in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region. The assailants discharged multiple rounds from pump-action weapons at one of the taskforce's Zonda pickup vehicles, prompting a tactical withdrawal by NAIMOS personnel without any casualties. A dawn operation on Thursday at the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) plantation led to the arrest of 49 suspected illegal miners.

The operation resulted in the recovery of one pump-action firearm and the seizure of more than GH₵226,000 in cash believed to be proceeds of illegal mining. Initially, 114 individuals were apprehended and taken to the Adiewoso Community Centre for screening. After verification, 49 were confirmed as suspected illegal miners, 8 were identified as casual GREL workers, and 12 were confirmed as senior high school students. Three of those arrested were identified as foreign nationals-Abdul Karim of Niger, and Nash Ishaku and Eliyasu Sie, both from Burkina Faso. Additional items uncovered included GH₵140,000 found in a Toyota Raize belonging to Daniel Avoka, and GH₵86,710 alongside two containers of small ball-like substances suspected to be gold, retrieved from a white Toyota Hilux.

Ebenezer Cobbinah, the owner of the Hilux, was arrested and is assisting with investigations. All verified GREL employees were exonerated and released, while the 49 suspects were handed over to the Agona Divisional Police Command for further investigation. NAIMOS said the operation underscores its commitment to tackling illegal mining, particularly where it threatens legitimate concessions, livelihoods