The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over investigations into last weekend’s attack on the Director of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and his team at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.
As part of the ongoing probe, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has been invited by police to assist with investigations.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, when the NAIMOS team intercepted suspected illegal miners operating near Bronikrom in the Ahafo Region, arresting several individuals.
Items retrieved from the suspects included a Smith & Wesson pistol, two magazines, 21 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 reportedly arrived at the scene with a group of men demanding their release. When the request was denied, the group allegedly overpowered the officers, freed the suspects, and forced the NAIMOS team to retreat.
The police said a mob of about 600 people, allegedly incited by the MP, later stormed the Hwidiem Police Station, vandalizing the NAIMOS Director’s vehicle and damaging parts of the station while demanding the release of the detained miners.
A reinforcement team from the Ahafo Regional Command, supported by the military and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, intervened to restore order and ensure the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS officials. The chief’s vehicle was damaged in the process, but no injuries were reported.
The MP, however, has denied inciting the mob, claiming he only intervened to help calm tensions.
In a statement, the Ghana Police Service condemned the attack and warned against interference with law enforcement operations.
“A special operation has been launched to identify and arrest all perpetrators to face the full rigours of the law,” the statement added.
