The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has affirmed its commitment to the fight against illegal mining, following a violent encounter involving officers of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in the Bono Region.
During the operation, a NAIMOS officer sustained a gunshot wound, while an armed suspect was killed in the exchange.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry said the officer was shot in the thigh during a routine anti-galamsey patrol along the Subinkurom–Kyeremasu road in the Dormaa Central Municipality.
According to the statement, the task force came under fire from armed individuals hiding in the bushes, prompting the officers to return fire.
The injured officer was rushed to St. Matthew Catholic Hospital in Ampenkuro, where he is receiving treatment. One of the attackers, identified as Abuu Ibrahim, was struck by gunfire and later pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Acknowledging the risks faced by officers, the Ministry stressed that such violence will not derail the campaign against illegal mining.
“Despite the persistent attacks and disruptions, [NAIMOS] remains committed to fighting the scourge of illegal mining,” the statement said.
The incident has heightened concerns about the growing use of weapons by illegal miners, as enforcement teams increasingly face armed resistance during operations.
NAIMOS has appealed to traditional authorities, local communities, and stakeholders to continue supporting the anti-galamsey campaign, noting that illegal mining continues to destroy water bodies, forests, and farmlands across the country.
The ministry insists its determination to protect Ghana’s natural resources remains unshaken, even as officers face life-threatening risks on the frontline.
ALSO READ:
