A joint team of police and military personnel, on Wednesday carried out a major dawn operation in the Obuasi Municipality, leading to the arrest of hundreds of residents across four communities.
The intelligence-led operation was in response to recent violent attacks on members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), police officers, and officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who were carrying out lawful duties in the fight against illegal mining.
The coordinated swoop, which began around 0300 hours targeted specific individuals suspected of orchestrating or participating in the attacks.
Communities including Anwona, Nhyiaeso, Dadwene, and Kyekyewere were raided simultaneously as part of the nationwide crackdown on illegal mining-related violence.
Armed security officers moved from house to house, rounding up men from nearly every household.
Amid wailing and protest from women and children, several men were handcuffed and placed in waiting police vehicles under heavy guard.
The operation, though swift and largely peaceful, created a sense of fear and uncertainty in the affected communities.
The suspects, numbering in their hundreds, were transported to Kumasi under tight security for screening and profiling to identify the real perpetrators.
Authorities say those found to be innocent will be released after investigations, while the identified offenders will face prosecution.
Dr. Sayibu Gariba, Director-General in Charge of Technical Services at the Ghana Police Service, at a parade ahead of the exercise, urged the personnel to remain disciplined and professional throughout the exercise.
“Make sure that you are firm, robust, and professional in the execution of your task,” COP Gariba instructed.
He reminded the officers that the operation was not only about arrests but also about restoring public confidence in law enforcement efforts to protect legitimate state officials combating environmental crimes.
The operation forms part of efforts by the government to reassert control in mining communities and reinforce the national resolve to end the destructive practice of illegal mining, which continues to devastate water bodies, forests, and farmlands across the country.
Source: GNA
The post Attack on NAIMOS: Hundreds arrested in joint police-military dawn operation appeared first on Ghana Business News.
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