The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has been invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to assist with investigations into an alleged attack on officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region. This high-profile invitation follows a directive from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for the CID to take over the case. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, involved the NAIMOS team, led by Colonel Buah, reportedly coming under attack by a mob allegedly linked to the MP.

According to a police statement issued on Monday, November 3, 2025, preliminary investigations revealed that the NAIMOS Director of Operations and ten soldiers had intercepted illegal miners operating near Bronikrom. Several suspects were arrested during the operation, and various items were retrieved, including a Smith & Wesson pistol, two pistol magazines, twenty-one rounds of 9mm ammunition, a side bag, mobile phones, and two unregistered vehicles (a Range Rover and a Toyota RAV4).

Police sources disclosed that while preparations were underway to transport the arrested suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, Hon. Addo allegedly arrived at the scene with a group of men and demanded their immediate release. When the NAIMOS team refused, the group reportedly forcibly removed the handcuffs from the suspects and chased the officers from the area. The situation escalated further when a mob of approximately six hundred people, believed to have been mobilised by the MP, later besieged the Hwidiem Police Station. This crowd vandalised the NAIMOS Director’s Toyota Hilux pickup and threatened to set the police station ablaze, necessitating the deployment of reinforcement teams from the Ahafo Regional Command to prevent further destruction.

Calm was eventually restored through the joint efforts of the police, military, and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, Alhaji Mohammed Bashiru Zarikyi, who mediated the situation and assisted in the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS team. Although the Chief's vehicle was damaged in the process, no injuries to officials were reported. The Zongo Chief himself recounted the chaotic and dangerous events on Adom FM, stating that he was called by MP Addo and found the situation dire. He described how his Toyota Sequoia 4x4 was vandalised after he offered it to evacuate the soldiers, as parts of the irate mob mistook it for a military vehicle. Alhaji Bashiru praised the military officers for their restraint and professionalism under extreme pressure, noting they could have retaliated but chose to remain calm.

In response to the attack, the Ghana Police Service condemned the interference in law enforcement duties and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining order and ensuring that all individuals involved face the full rigour of the law. The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) also strongly urged prompt legal action against MP Ebenezer Kwaku Addo and all individuals alleged to have been involved. In a statement released on Monday, November 3, 2025, the BPS described the assault as a deliberate attempt to obstruct law enforcement, calling for the immediate arrest and interrogation of Mr. Addo and others implicated. The BPS requested a full investigation by the Ghana Police Service, supported by the Ghana Armed Forces, into the MP’s alleged involvement and the handling of the matter by officers at the Hwidiem Police Station. They also called for safeguards for NAIMOS officers, soldiers, and witnesses, and encouraged Parliament to institute an inquiry to determine if disciplinary or criminal action is warranted. The BPS stressed that no public office-holder enjoys immunity and that such attacks undermine national security and embolden criminal operations.

Similarly, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, strongly condemned the violent attack. In a press statement issued on Monday, November 3, 2025, the ministry confirmed that Mr Armah-Kofi Buah was adequately briefed and condemned the violence in the strongest terms. The Minister has initiated high-level consultations with the Speaker of Parliament and the Minister for the Interior to coordinate the state's response. These meetings aim to ensure swift and rigorous investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack, aligning with the government's commitment to prosecute all perpetrators, including those who aid, support, or finance illegal mining (galamsey) and violence against state officials. The swift action by the Lands Minister underscores the government's grave view of this escalation of violence against anti-galamsey efforts, reaffirming the fight against illegal mining as a top national security priority.

The NAIMOS team, after being rescued under police escort, was safely transported to the Newmont Kenyasi site. Investigations into the vandalism and attempted mob assault on the taskforce are ongoing.