The Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to take over the investigation into an attack on officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.
The violent incident occurred on Saturday, November 1, when the Director of Operations of NAIMOS and his team arrested a group of suspected illegal miners near Bronikrom. The operation also led to the seizure of weapons and vehicles believed to be linked to the suspects.
According to police reports, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, allegedly arrived at the scene with a group of individuals and demanded the immediate release of the suspects. When the officers declined, the group forcibly removed the suspects’ handcuffs and compelled the NAIMOS team to leave the area.
Later that day, a mob of about 600 people, said to have been mobilized by the MP, besieged the Hwidiem Police Station demanding the release of the suspects and their vehicles. The mob vandalized the Director’s car, destroyed parts of the police station, and threatened to set the facility ablaze.
Reinforcement teams from the Ahafo Regional Police Command, supported by the military, were swiftly deployed to contain the situation. Calm was eventually restored through the joint efforts of the security forces and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, who intervened to mediate and ensure the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS officers.
Although no injuries were reported, the Chief’s vehicle was damaged during the chaos.
The police have confirmed that the CID Headquarters will now lead the investigation into the attack, and the Asutifi North MP has been invited to assist with ongoing inquiries.
