The fake soldiers and illegal miners at the police station
The Nkawie Divisional Police Command has foiled a robbery operation involving four men who posed as soldiers and attacked illegal miners at Amadaa in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.
The suspects, arrested on Wednesday, September 3, were in possession of two AK-47 rifles, a military knife, handcuffs, and large sums of money seized from the miners during the raid.
According to police intelligence, the group held the miners hostage while carrying out the operation. Among the arrested persons are two Chinese nationals and three Ghanaians, police confirmed.
Investigations further revealed that the operation was allegedly masterminded by a miner identified only as Simon. He is said to have lured his colleagues into trusting him, then secretly engaged the fake soldiers to rob them. Police sources indicate that Simon has been involved in similar schemes in the past, using the same strategy against fellow miners.
“Initially, he pretended to be an informant and even pleaded on behalf of the suspects when they were picked up. But we later discovered that he planned the whole operation. He managed to escape arrest when his cover was blown,” a police source disclosed.
The case has been referred to the Ashanti Regional Police Command for further investigation, especially due to the involvement of foreign nationals. Police have launched a manhunt for Simon, who is currently on the run.
Residents of Amadaa say the miners involved in the case, including the suspects, live in the community.
FROM David Afum, Nkawie