A NAIMOS officer was shot during an anti-illegal mining operation in Ghana’s Bono Region as armed assailants opened fire. One attacker was killed in the exchange.
Illegal Mining Fight Turns Deadly in Bono Region
An anti-illegal mining operation in Ghana’s Bono Region turned violent on Tuesday after armed assailants opened fire on members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), leaving one officer injured and an attacker dead.
In a press statement issued Tuesday night, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources confirmed that the incident occurred in a bush area along the Subinkurom–Kyeremasu stretch within the Dormaa Central Municipality.
According to the Ministry, members of the NAIMOS task force were ambushed by armed individuals believed to be engaged in illegal mining activities.
“The armed thugs, who were hiding in the bushes, opened fire upon sighting the NAIMOS task force,” the statement said.
The sudden attack triggered an exchange of gunfire between the task force and the assailants. During the confrontation, one NAIMOS personnel sustained a gunshot wound.
The injured officer was rushed to the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro, where medical staff confirmed that he is responding to treatment and is in stable condition.
In the course of the exchange, one of the attackers was shot. The deceased assailant has been identified as Abuu Ibrahim. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the same hospital.
The Ministry described the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by personnel deployed to enforce Ghana’s anti-illegal mining laws, particularly in remote and high-risk مناطق where armed groups often operate.
Illegal mining—locally known as galamsey—has remained one of Ghana’s most persistent environmental and security challenges. Beyond the destruction of farmlands and water bodies, the activity has increasingly been linked with organized crime and violent resistance against state authorities.
NAIMOS was established to coordinate and strengthen Ghana’s fight against illegal mining by bringing together security agencies and regulatory bodies under a unified operational command. Its mandate includes dismantling illegal mining sites, arresting offenders, and restoring degraded lands.
Tuesday’s attack underscores the growing militarization of illegal mining operations and the readiness of some groups to confront law enforcement with lethal force.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources condemned the нападение and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the anti-illegal mining campaign.
“This incident will not deter the government from its resolve to end illegal mining and protect Ghana’s natural resources,” the statement emphasized.
Security agencies have since intensified patrols in the area, while investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the нападение.
Residents in nearby communities have been urged to cooperate with authorities and provide any information that could assist in tracking down accomplices who fled the scene.
The latest development adds to a series of confrontations between illegal miners and enforcement teams across several regions in recent years, highlighting the complex blend of environmental, economic, and security issues surrounding galamsey.
As the government pushes ahead with its crackdown, officials say the safety of personnel remains a priority, even as the state tightens its grip on activities that continue to threaten Ghana’s forests, rivers, and rural livelihoods.
Attached below is a copy of the Ministry’s statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: STATEMENT ON SHOOTING OF NAIMOS PERSONNEL AND DEATH OF ARMED ASSAILANT
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) wishes to inform the public that earlier today, Tuesday, 20th January 2026, a member of its task force was shot in the thigh by armed assailants during a routine anti-galamsey operation.
The incident occurred in a bush along the Subinkurom-Kyeremasu stretch in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region.
The armed thugs, who were hiding in the bushes, opened fire on sighting the NAIMOS task force. This led to an exchange of gunfire, during which one NAIMOS personnel sustained a gunshot injury.
The injured officer was swiftly rushed to the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro, where he is currently responding to treatment.
Meanwhile, one of the assailants who opened fire on the NAIMOS task force was shot dead during the exchanges. The deceased, identified as Abuu Ibrahim, was pronounced dead on arrival at the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital.
NAIMOS wishes to assure that despite the persistent attacks and disruptions, it remains committed to fighting the scourge of illegal mining and urges all stakeholders to continue with support for its operations.
