The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested 13 suspected illegal miners during a fierce operation on the Offin River at Subin Akwaaboso in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region.
The arrests were made on the fourth day of NAIMOS’s intensified nationwide anti-galamsey campaign, after three days of enforcement activities in the Western North Region.
The latest raid was led by the Central Regional team, together with NAIMOS Director of Operations, Colonel K. S. Appiah, and officers from the Secretariat’s headquarters.
Illegal mining site on river
During the operation, the task force uncovered a large illegal mining site mounted directly on the Offin River.
According to NAIMOS, several chanfang machines had been installed on the river, causing severe pollution and massive environmental degradation.
Chanfang machines are floating dredging platforms commonly used in riverine illegal mining. They disturb riverbeds, discharge sediment and other pollutants into water bodies, and destroy aquatic habitats.
Gunfire attack on task force
The exercise turned violent when some residents of Subin Akwaaboso allegedly mobilised on motorbikes, wielded firearms and opened fire on the NAIMOS team in an attempt to stop the operation.
Despite the gunfire attack, the task force stood its ground.
Personnel, including military officers, were forced to swim and wade through the heavily polluted river to apprehend the suspects and dismantle their equipment.
Colonel Appiah said the team deployed specific strategies to contain the situation after some miners allegedly attempted to retaliate with firearms.
Part of Operation Water Shield
The Offin River raid forms part of Operation Water Shield, a sustained, intelligence-led enforcement campaign launched by NAIMOS in September 2026 to protect Ghana’s major rivers, watersheds and critical water resources from illegal mining.
The operation targets priority water bodies, including the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra and Offin rivers, as well as affected sections of the Black and White Volta systems.
NAIMOS says the campaign goes beyond arresting miners and destroying equipment. It also targets financiers, facilitators, unauthorised manufacturers of chanfang machines, and suppliers of excavators, pumps and other equipment used in illegal mining.
The Secretariat says its objective is to remove floating chanfang platforms from rivers, restrict miners’ access to waterways and prevent operators from relocating to other sections after enforcement teams leave.
Earlier Offin River operations
The latest arrests came days after NAIMOS reported progress in its operations along the Bedaabour–Beposo stretch of the Offin River.
In that operation, the task force raided six illegal mining sites, destroyed four floating chanfang platforms and discovered about 45 additional abandoned platforms along the river.
NAIMOS said the abandoned platforms suggested that some illegal miners were withdrawing their operations in response to the sustained security presence, particularly patrols by the Ghana Navy’s Special Boat Squadron.
The Secretariat, however, warned that abandoning equipment would not end enforcement, stressing that patrols would continue and cleared areas would not be left for miners to reoccupy.
Suspects in custody
The 13 suspects arrested at Subin Akwaaboso are currently in custody and are expected to be processed for prosecution.
All chanfang machines found on the river have been destroyed.
Speaking after the operation, Colonel Appiah reiterated NAIMOS’s commitment to executing its mandate with professionalism and firmness, stressing that protecting the country’s water bodies and natural resources remains a top priority.
He also urged illegal miners to abandon the destructive practice and allow efforts to restore degraded rivers and forests to succeed.
The suspects are presumed innocent unless a court determines otherwise.
Story by Ama Frimpomaa
