Police in the Eastern South Region have arrested five persons accused of impersonating operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and extorting money from miners.
The arrests were made on Friday, January 2, 2026, following a complaint lodged at Akwadum in the Abuakwa South District.
In a press statement dated January 3, 2026, the police identified the suspects as Moses Tapiam, 43; Christopher Amakor, 29; Casimir Nunekpeku, 29; Wisdom Miwonuko, 35; and Paul Agbanu, 53. According to the statement, the suspects were dressed in security uniforms and claimed to be NAIMOS officials operating from Accra.
They were allegedly moving from one mining site to another, demanding money from miners, before they were intercepted and arrested by a legitimate NAIMOS team.
At the time of their arrest, the suspects were traveling in a Mitsubishi pick-up vehicle with registration number GS 536-25.
The suspects have since been handed over to the Eastern South Regional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Kyebi to assist with ongoing investigations ahead of prosecution.
Meanwhile, the police have cautioned the public—particularly individuals impersonating security personnel—to desist from such acts, stressing that impersonation constitutes a criminal offence.
