The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over investigations into a violent attack on the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and his team by a group of thugs at Hwidiem, in the Ahafo Region.
In a press statement issued by the police, the incident, which occurred on Saturday, November 1, reportedly involved the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, who is alleged to have incited the mob and obstructed the NAIMOS team during an anti-illegal mining operation.
The MP has since been invited to assist police investigations into the matter.
According to preliminary findings, the NAIMOS Director and his team had intercepted a group of illegal miners operating near Bronikrom and arrested several suspects.
Items retrieved from the suspects included one Smith & Wesson pistol, two pistol magazines, twenty-one rounds of 9mm ammunition, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and several mobile phones.
While preparing to hand over the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, the MP allegedly arrived at the scene accompanied by a group of men who demanded the immediate release of the suspects.
When the request was denied, the group reportedly forcibly removed the suspects’ handcuffs and chased the NAIMOS officials from the area.
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Later that day, a mob of about 600 people, allegedly mobilised by the MP, besieged the Hwidiem Police Station, demanding the release of the suspects and the seized vehicles.
The crowd vandalised the Director’s vehicle, damaged parts of the police station, and threatened to set the facility ablaze.
Reinforcement teams from the Ahafo Regional Police Command were swiftly deployed to restore order and prevent further damage.
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Calm was eventually restored through the collaborative efforts of the police, military, and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, who intervened to mediate the situation and facilitate the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS team. The Chief’s vehicle was damaged during the confrontation, though no injuries were reported.
The Ghana Police Service has strongly condemned the attack, warning against any form of interference with legitimate law enforcement operations.