The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra to take over the investigation into a violent attack on the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and his team at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, has sparked national attention due to the alleged involvement of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo.
According to a statement issued by the Ghana Police Service and signed by its Director-General for Public Affairs, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the IGP has instructed that the matter be handled directly by the CID Headquarters to ensure an impartial and comprehensive investigation.
The statement also confirmed that the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North has been invited by the police to assist in the ongoing investigation following allegations that he incited a mob and obstructed the NAIMOS team during their lawful operations.
Preliminary findings by the police revealed that the NAIMOS team had been conducting an anti-illegal mining operation near Bronikrom in the Ahafo Region when the altercation occurred. During the operation, the team reportedly intercepted a group of illegal miners and arrested some suspects.
The officers retrieved a number of exhibits, including a Smith & Wesson pistol, two pistol magazines, twenty-one rounds of 9mm ammunition, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, several mobile phones, and a side-hang bag containing the firearm.
The Police Service stated that the NAIMOS officials were preparing to transfer the arrested suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station when the Asutifi North MP allegedly arrived at the scene in the company of several men.
He is said to have demanded the immediate release of the suspects. When his request was turned down, the group reportedly took matters into their own hands — forcibly removing the handcuffs from the detained miners and chasing the NAIMOS officers from the area.
The situation, according to the police, escalated dramatically as a mob of approximately 600 people, allegedly mobilized and incited by the MP, later descended on the Hwidiem Police Station.
The group reportedly demanded the release of the suspects and the return of the seized vehicles. In the process, the mob vandalized the Director’s official vehicle, caused extensive damage to parts of the police station, and even threatened to set the facility ablaze.
“The crowd vandalized the Director’s vehicle, damaged parts of the police station, and threatened to set it ablaze.”
Director-General for Public Affairs, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Grace Ansah-Akrofi
Reinforcement Team
Reinforcement teams from the Ahafo Regional Police Command were immediately deployed to Hwidiem to restore order and prevent further destruction. It took the combined intervention of the police, military, and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem to bring the situation under control.
The Zongo Chief, who played a crucial mediatory role, helped facilitate the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS team from the volatile scene. Although his vehicle was damaged in the process, no casualties or serious injuries were recorded during the chaos.
Police’s Condemnation
In the statement, the Ghana Police Service strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an act of lawlessness and a direct attempt to obstruct legitimate law enforcement duties.
The Police Administration further indicated that a special operation has been launched to identify and arrest all individuals who participated in the assault and the subsequent vandalism.
The Service reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all persons found culpable — regardless of their political or social status — will face the full rigours of the law.
The directive from the IGP to hand the case over to the CID Headquarters is viewed as a decisive move to guarantee transparency and thoroughness in handling what has quickly become one of the most serious confrontations between state anti-galamsey operatives and political figures in recent years.
The development also highlights the growing tension between law enforcement efforts to clamp down on illegal mining and the alleged political protection of persons engaged in the activity.
The outcome of this investigation will test the police administration’s resolve under IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno to uphold professionalism and independence in politically sensitive cases.
The attack on the NAIMOS team also underscores the growing dangers faced by state operatives leading the fight against illegal mining — a fight that has, over the years, been fraught with resistance, intimidation, and in some cases, violence.
The IGP’s decision to assign the CID Headquarters to take over the case reflects the seriousness with which the police leadership views the matter.
It also aligns with the Service’s renewed commitment to the rule of law and accountability, especially at a time when public confidence in security institutions depends heavily on their ability to operate without fear or favour.
As investigations continue, the Ghana Police Service has assured the public that it remains committed to protecting all officers performing lawful duties and to ensuring that such acts of violence do not recur.
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