The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to take over the investigation into 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 move follows a violent confrontation on Saturday, November 1, 2025, during which a NAIMOS task force reportedly faced mob aggression after detaining individuals believed to be involved in illegal mining activities near Bronikrom.
Preliminary police reports reveal that the task force had arrested several suspects and confiscated assorted items, including a Smith & Wesson handgun with ammunition, two pistol magazines, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and multiple mobile phones.
According to a police statement, the situation escalated when the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, allegedly arrived with a group and demanded the release of the suspects.
When the officers declined, the crowd purportedly overwhelmed the NAIMOS operatives, freed the detainees, and compelled the team to withdraw.
Shortly afterwards, a reported crowd of nearly 600 people stormed the Hwidiem Police Station, insisting on the suspects’ unconditional release.
The mob is said to have vandalised vehicles—including the NAIMOS Director’s—and damaged parts of the police facility while attempting to set the premises ablaze.
A combined security team from the Ahafo Regional Police Command and the military eventually intervened to restore calm.
The Zongo Chief of Hwidiem also played a key mediating role, helping secure the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS team. Despite damage to the Chief’s vehicle, no casualties were recorded.
Police have since invited the Asutifi North MP to assist with ongoing investigations into the disturbance.
