Galamsey War Turns Bloody – Illegal Miners Open Fire On Soldiers At Offin River

The fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has turned dangerous.

Illegal miners at Subin Akwaboso in the Upper Denkyira West District have opened fire on the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) taskforce.

The incident happened during a special operation on the Offin River on Sunday, November 2, to stop galamsey activities that have badly polluted the river.

According to reports, the NAIMOS team, led by the Director of Operations, Colonel Kwame Sam Appiah, stormed the area and arrested 13 suspected illegal miners. Their machines and equipment were also destroyed.

But after the arrest, things got out of control.

Some residents and illegal miners from Subin Akwaboso reportedly mobilized on motorbikes, brought out guns, and started firing gunshots at the NAIMOS team. They wanted to stop the operation and free their colleagues.

The officers, including soldiers, had to swim and wade through the muddy river during the operation to make the arrests.

Colonel Appiah said despite the attack, NAIMOS will not stop. He said they will continue to work with professionalism and firmness to protect Ghana’s rivers and natural resources.

He also called on the galamsey operators to stop destroying the environment and allow government to restore the polluted rivers.

No injuries have been reported yet, but the attack shows how bold and dangerous illegal miners have become.

SamuelAppau feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com