The National Security Coordinating Secretariat (NSCS) has taken swift action, revoking the appointment of one operative and initiating disciplinary proceedings against two others, following their suspected involvement in illegal mining activities within the Oda River Forest Reserve.
The action follows a major, intelligence-driven operation on October 23, 2025, led by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
The mission successfully dismantled an entrenched illegal mining network in the reserve, resulting in the arrest of fifteen illegal miners and nine armed individuals who falsely claimed to be National Security operatives. These imposters were found with a cache of weapons, including a pistol, a pump-action shotgun, and handcuffs.
Immediately after the arrests, the NSCS commenced an internal personnel audit, which identified three individuals whose names matched those detained. Among them was Issah Yakubu, a temporary operative previously assigned to the Yapei Axle Weight Station.
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According to the NSCS, Colleagues later confirmed Yakubu’s involvement and arrest during the Ashanti Region operation.
The National Security Coordinator has since mandated the immediate revocation of Issah Yakubu’s appointment and ordered his prosecution if found culpable. The two other identified operatives are currently under intense investigation and face immediate disciplinary action, including termination and prosecution, should their links to the illegal mining network be verified.
The NAIMOS operation, which also saw the arrest of two individuals attempting to bribe taskforce officers with GH₵120,000, has been hailed by some Ghanaians.
Some have described it as an indication of the government’s commitment to eliminating “galamsey,” even among personnel tasked with protecting the nation’s resources.
