The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested two individuals involved in illegal mining along the Ankobra River in the Western Region, after they allegedly attempted to bribe a taskforce with GH¢30,000 to halt an enforcement operation.
The arrests were made on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Gwira Banso in the Nzema East District during a routine daytime riverine patrol. The suspects were found actively engaged in illegal mining activities that had significantly polluted sections of the river.
According to NAIMOS, one of the suspects admitted ownership of the mining site and disclosed that additional workers were operating nearby.
A subsequent inspection revealed that the miners had created an access route linking their operations directly to the Ankobra River, facilitating the discharge of pollutants into the water body.
As the taskforce began destroying changfan machines mounted on improvised boats, the suspects reportedly approached officers and attempted to offer GH¢30,000 in a bid to obstruct the operation.
The team rejected the bribe, seized the cash as evidence, and confiscated an outboard motor used in the illegal activity.
The suspects have since been handed over to the Nkroful Police Station for further investigations and possible prosecution.
In a related development, NAIMOS disclosed that its night patrol team carried out a follow-up operation later the same day after detecting a shift in illegal mining activities to nighttime hours.
Using newly deployed military speedboats, the team identified several changfan machines operating under the cover of darkness and moved swiftly to destroy the equipment on site to prevent further environmental damage.
The Secretariat said the operations demonstrate its commitment to sustained enforcement and adaptability in tackling illegal mining, noting that both day and night patrols will continue to protect the Ankobra River and surrounding ecosystems.
NAIMOS reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining and corruption, warning that offenders will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
