The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has apprehended a foreman of an illegal small-scale mining site at Akyem Morso, near Juaso in the Asante Akim South District of the Ashanti Region.
The arrest followed a targeted enforcement operation along the Kume River across the lands of Morso, Kyekyebiase, and Bimma.
The suspect, identified as Elder David Bobie Peter, disclosed during questioning that he is an Elder of The Church of Pentecost, Konongo branch.
The operation began when the NAIMOS task force moved into a large illegal mining enclave at Kyekyebiase, where several youth were found actively engaged in mining activities during the surprise raid.
On seeing the task force, the miners fled in different directions, abandoning their equipment in an attempt to evade arrest. The task force pursued them over a considerable distance, but no arrests were made at that stage as the miners used their familiarity with the terrain and escape routes to avoid capture.
Despite this, the task force proceeded to dismantle eight Chanfang machines and four wooden gold-washing platforms through controlled burning. Several pipe hoses used for the illegal operations were also destroyed, while twelve water pumping machines were seized.
A further search of the area revealed fresh excavator tracks leading into a nearby cocoa farm, where a Sany excavator had been concealed among the crops.
An assessment showed that the machine’s control boards and monitor had already been removed or disabled before the task force arrived. The excavator operator with the NAIMOS team rendered the machine completely inoperable by detaching its oil pump and other vital components.
During the operation, a middle-aged man dressed in a yellow T-shirt and white shorts approached the task force and claimed he was visiting his farm.
Further intelligence, however, identified him as a foreman of one of the illegal mining sites in the area. When confronted, he admitted his identity as David Bobie Peter and confessed to being the foreman of a mining site at Morso.
He further stated that he had been sent by his employer, identified only as Mr Appiah, to verify the presence of the NAIMOS task force after news of the operation spread within the mining community.
Elder David Bobie Peter subsequently led the task force to his mining site at Morso, where extensive environmental destruction was observed. The Kume River was heavily polluted, with parts of its natural course diverted to facilitate the illegal activity.
A second Sany excavator was discovered at the site and was also immobilised by removing its oil pump, as it lacked both a monitor and a control board.
The suspect has since been formally arrested and handed over to the Konongo District Police Station for further investigation and prosecution.
NAIMOS cautioned all individuals engaged in illegal mining activities to desist, stressing that enforcement will be carried out regardless of social status, religious affiliation, or political connections.
The Secretariat also called on local authorities, traditional leaders, intelligence agencies, and security services to intensify monitoring and enforcement efforts in affected areas.
NAIMOS reiterated that the fight against illegal mining requires a coordinated and uncompromising approach, assuring that all offenders will be pursued and brought to justice.
