The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariatt (NAIMOS) this dawn, Saturday, November 8, conducted a swoop in the Eastern Region arresting 36 illegal miners.
The arrested are several Nigeriens (32) and 4 Ghanaians.
The exercise was conducted specifically at Osino in the Fanteakwa South District of the region. Pictures accompanying the report show miners mining near a house in the town.
It comes amidst earlier confusion and confrontation between NAIMOS and some thugs a week ago at Hwidiem in the Asutifi South constituency in the Ahafo Region, implicating two Members of Parliament (MPs), Collins Dauda and Ebenezer Kwaku Addo of Asutifi South and North constituencies respectively.
NAIMOS had stormed the site while on a trip in the area, to stop an illegal mining activity they had been informed of.
But what was supposed to be a regular exercise turned chaotic after the team arrested the miners and these thugs invaded the site demanding release of the arrested. Included among the miners was a Burkinabe.
While the confrontation ensued, the Asutifi North MP who claimed he was sent by his senior party and parliamentarian, who was out of the jurisdiction, to prevail upon the soldiers to stop arresting the illegal miners.
When NAIMOS refused, the situation degenerated and so the team and the miners were rushed to the Police Station at Hwidiem following which they shepherded the area.
Leader and Director of NAIMOS, Colonel Dominic Buah is reported to have said that they were saved just “by the grace of God”.
The MP has been invited by the Police and granted GHs150, 000 bail with one surety to be justified.
By Gifty Boateng