By Daniel Bampoe
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters to take over the probe into a violent attack on the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Col Dominic Buah and his security team at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.
The move follows mounting public concern over reports that the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, allegedly led and incited a mob that assaulted the taskforce during an anti-galamsey operation.
According to an official press release issued by the Ghana Police Service’s Public Affairs Directorate on Monday, November 3, 2025, preliminary investigations confirmed that the incident occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, when the NAIMOS team intercepted a group of illegal miners operating near Bronikrom in the Ahafo Region.
The operation, led by Colonel Buah, aimed to dismantle illegal mining activities endangering nearby communities and the environment.
Illegal Mining Interception And Seizure
During the operation, the NAIMOS taskforce arrested several illegal miners and retrieved key exhibits, including one (1) Smith & Wesson pistol, two (2) pistol magazines, twenty-one (21) rounds of 9mm ammunition, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and several mobile phones.
The team was preparing to hand over the suspects and seized items to the Hwidiem Police Station for processing when events took a violent turn.
The police report indicated that the Asutifi North MP, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, arrived at the scene accompanied by a group of men who demanded the immediate release of the arrested miners.
When his request was denied, the group allegedly forcibly removed the suspects’ handcuffs and chased the NAIMOS officers off the scene — a brazen act described by security officials as an obstruction of justice and interference in lawful police work.
Mob Attack at Hwidiem Police Station
Later that evening, a mob of nearly 600 people, allegedly incited by the MP, besieged the Hwidiem Police Station, demanding the release of the detained miners and the return of the seized vehicles.
The mob vandalized the NAIMOS Director’s Toyota Hilux, damaged parts of the police station, and threatened to set the facility ablaze. Reinforcement teams from the Ahafo Regional Police Command were immediately deployed to restore order and prevent further escalation.
In the midst of the chaos, senior police officers and military personnel worked tirelessly to contain the situation. Calm was eventually restored through the joint intervention of the police, military, and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, Alhaji Mohammed Bashiru Zarikyi, who mediated between the mob and the authorities.
Although the Zongo Chief’s vehicle sustained damage during the evacuation of the NAIMOS team, no casualties were reported.
IGP’s Response
The Police Service, in its statement, strongly condemned the attack and cautioned against any form of interference with national law enforcement duties.
The IGP has since directed the CID Headquarters to take full control of the investigation, citing the gravity of the incident and the potential involvement of a sitting Member of Parliament.
“The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, who is alleged to have incited the mob and obstructed the NAIMOS team, has been invited to assist ongoing investigations into the incident,” the statement confirmed.
The Police further disclosed that a special operation has been launched to identify and arrest all perpetrators involved in the assault and obstruction.
“The Ghana Police Service strongly condemns the attack and would like to caution against interference with law enforcement operations. All persons found culpable will face the full rigours of the law,” the release concluded.
