The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has ordered the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to assume full responsibility for probing an 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 decision follows a clash on Saturday, November 1, 2025, when the NAIMOS team reportedly came under assault from a mob after apprehending individuals engaged in illegal mining activities near Bronikrom.
Initial police findings indicate that the operatives arrested several suspects and seized some items, including a Smith & Wesson pistol with ammunition, two pistol magazines, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and multiple mobile phones.
A police statement explained that while the arrested individuals were being processed for transfer to the Hwidiem Police Station, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, allegedly arrived at the location with a group and insisted on the suspects’ release.
When officers refused to comply, the crowd reportedly overpowered the NAIMOS team, freed the detainees, and forced the officials to retreat.
Later, an estimated 600 people—believed to have been mobilised following the confrontation—stormed the Hwidiem Police Station, demanding freedom for the suspects.
The mob vandalised vehicles, including the NAIMOS Director’s car, damaged sections of the police facility, and attempted to set the station on fire.
Security personnel from the Ahafo Regional Command, supported by military officers, eventually brought the situation under control.
The intervention was aided by the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, who helped mediate and ensure the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS team. Although the Chief’s vehicle sustained damage, no injuries were recorded.
Police have extended an invitation to the Asutifi North MP to support ongoing investigations into the incident.
