A tense stand-off erupted at the Hwidiem Police Station in the Ahafo Region on Saturday afternoon after a military-led anti-galamsey team came under siege from a large crowd demanding the release of seized vehicles and suspects.
The incident occurred when Colonel Dominic Buah, Head of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), arrived at the station with nine military personnel.
The team reported that they were on a sanctioned national assignment from Accra to Goaso and had intercepted illegal mining activity at Bronikrom, near Hwidiem.
According to the account provided to the police, the task force arrested two individuals, identified as Zakaria and Kwame Alex, at an illegal mining site.
A Range Rover and an unregistered Toyota RAV4 were seized, along with mobile phones and other items believed to belong to the suspects. Officers also confiscated a Smith & Wesson pistol, two magazines, twenty-one rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 12 mobile phones.
The team reported that they destroyed wooden structures and mining equipment at the site as part of the enforcement exercise.
Shortly after the officers arrived at the police station, an estimated six hundred individuals from Hwidiem and neighbouring communities massed at the premises, demanding the release of the vehicles and calling for the soldiers to be handed over for what they described as punishment.
The situation escalated, with members of the crowd vandalising a Toyota Hilux pickup belonging to the NAIMOS team.
Regional police reinforcements, including the Regional Crime Officer, C/Supt Prince Odom-Koduah, and a 15-member task force, were deployed to stabilise the situation.
They joined local commanders already at the scene, as the agitated mob continued to press for the return of the seized vehicle keys.
With nightfall approaching and the area experiencing a power outage, security leaders acknowledged the growing risk to lives and property.
After consultations between the police, military, and community leaders, including the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, Mohammed Bashiru, a decision was taken to release the vehicle keys to defuse tensions.
The Zongo Chief provided his Toyota Sequoia vehicle to assist in evacuating the military personnel to safety.
Under police escort, Col Buah and his team were transported to the Newmont mining site at Kenyase. During the evacuation, the Zongo Chief’s vehicle was also vandalised, with its rear windscreen smashed. No injuries were reported.
Later at Kenyase, police received exhibits from the military team, including the Smith & Wesson pistol, ammunition, mobile phones, cash totalling GH¢11,000 and other personal items for evidential purposes.
Calm has since been restored at the Hwidiem Police Station, with officers maintaining heightened surveillance.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing and security in the area remains under close monitoring.