One Arrested, Equipment Destroyed after NAIMOS Stormed Birim North District
One person has been arrested following an operation by a task force of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at various illegal mining sites in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region.
The team passed through Pankese- Sitam and Akyem Afosu on January 13, 2026, a statement by the Deputy Minister for Forestry Commission, Ellikem Kotoko, said.
According to the report, Illegal miners absconded on sighting the Taskforce at Pankese Sitam, leaving behind their tools and equipment.
The Taskforce destroyed all the gold washing platforms, tents, pumping machines, changfans and several makeshift structures.
In addition, it seized a motorbike, a Lonking Payloader with registration number GS 2603- 24.
“The Payloader has been handed to the Akoasi Police station, awaiting lowbed service to be conveyed to Accra.”
The team proceeded to Akyem Afosu in the New Birim North District, where it arrested a 20-year-old apprentice named Samuel Gyapong.
He was left behind as the illegal miners working at the site fled on sighting the task force.
The team seized two excavators, which have been transported to Accra.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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