In a decisive operation conducted by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, four armed men were apprehended at an illegal mining site in Anbanzie, located within the Nzema East District of the Western Region. The operation, which was intelligence-led, took place on the evening of Monday, February 9, 2026, between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., as disclosed in a Facebook post by Elikem Kotoko, Deputy CEO of the Forestry Commission.
The task force faced significant resistance while attempting to enter the site. According to a statement from the secretariat, approximately 15 individuals armed with cutlasses and adorned with cowries attempted to block the convoy and launched an attack on personnel executing their lawful duties. However, the officers successfully overpowered the group, resulting in the arrest of four suspects, while others managed to flee. Following the confrontation, the team dismantled and destroyed the illegal mining infrastructure at the site.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Massawudu Alhassan (34), Zuberu Ahmidu (32), William Boateng (28), and Ernest Abeka (22). Preliminary investigations revealed that these men were part of a group recruited by the site owner to provide armed security for the illegal operation. The suspects disclosed that approximately 28 individuals had been engaged for this purpose.
The arrested men have since been handed over to the Salma Police Station to assist with further investigations and to face possible prosecution.
Colonel Dominic Buah, Director of Operations for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, issued a stern warning to illegal mining operators and their armed guards, urging them to refrain from attacking task force personnel. He emphasized that members of the team are prepared to defend themselves against any form of resistance encountered during operations.
The secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to conducting intelligence-driven operations across mining areas in an effort to combat illegal mining activities. These efforts aim to safeguard local communities and protect vital natural resources from exploitation and environmental degradation.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
