The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to take over investigations into a violent attack on the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and his team at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.
The directive follows an incident on Saturday, November 1, 2025, during which a mob attacked the NAIMOS team after they intercepted suspected illegal miners operating near Bronikrom.
Preliminary police reports indicate that the team arrested several suspects and retrieved a number of items, including a Smith & Wesson pistol, ammunition, two pistol magazines, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and several mobile phones.
According to the police, while the suspects were being processed for handover to the Hwidiem Police Station, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, allegedly arrived at the scene with a group demanding the suspects’ release. When the demand was declined, the mob forcibly freed the suspects and chased the NAIMOS officers from the area.
Later, a crowd of about 600 people reportedly besieged the Hwidiem Police Station, vandalising vehicles—including one belonging to the NAIMOS Director—and damaging parts of the station. They also attempted to set the facility on fire.
Security reinforcements from the Ahafo Regional Police Command, supported by the military, eventually restored calm. The Zongo Chief of Hwidiem assisted in mediating the situation and ensuring the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS team. His vehicle was damaged during the chaos, but no casualties were reported.
The police say the Asutifi North MP has been invited to assist with ongoing investigations as the CID takes over the case.
