Suspected galamsey thugs arrested along Ankobra River

Suspected galamsey thugs were arrested on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Dominase in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region. The four alleged armed illegal miners were described as thugs providing security for a galamsey operation along the Ankobra River. According to a statement issued by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the task force encountered an active illegal mining site at about 3:25 p.m., where the suspects were allegedly operating with pump-action guns and machetes.

The suspects were identified as Alpha Musa, 28; Rahaman Rojer, 29; Laji Bengali, 25; and Mohammed Agana, 25. NAIMOS stated that the armed men resisted arrest and attempted to obstruct the operation when the task force arrived at the site, saying "The armed thugs resisted arrest and refused to surrender to the task force. Instead, they violently attempted to obstruct the operation and prevent their arrest." Items retrieved from the site included two pump-action guns, eighty-two AA cartridges, three machetes, one water pumping machine and two SDLG excavator control boards. Two excavators were discovered at the mining site and immobilised on-site after their control boards were detached.

NAIMOS disclosed that preliminary interrogation of the suspects revealed claims that they were allegedly operating under the protection of certain persons said to be National Security operatives identified only as "Ras," "Mambo," and "Nana Teku," all believed to be from Prestea. The arrested suspects, together with their mobile phones and talisman, were handed over to the Esiama District Police for further investigations and prosecution. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Asiedu of the Esiama District Police reportedly received the suspects.