Colonel Kwame Sam Appiah. INSET: Blood-stained trouser of one of the victims
Three PEOPLE are reported dead following fierce clashes between personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and some youth of Manso Keniago in the Ashanti Region.
The deadly clashes were reported to have also caused severe injuries to about two people, who were among the agitated youth of Manso Keniago. They were rushed to the hospital where they were admitted for treatment.
The confrontation occurred on Wednesday afternoon, November 11, 2026, around 1:30 p.m., while the NAIMOS Task Force was transporting excavators seized during an anti-illegal mining operation to a designated location for safekeeping.
According to community sources, scores of heavily armed NAIMOS officials stormed the community and seized some excavators from illegal miners without any objection or resistance from residents.
Trouble started when the personnel decided to track the heavy excavators away on the tarred road instead of transporting them on a low-bed trailer.
Chiefs and residents reportedly objected, arguing that tracking the machine would damage the road, and demanded that it be loaded onto a low-bed truck.
The demand was reportedly ignored, angering the youth, who allegedly started hurling stones at the NAIMOS personnel.
Other eyewitnesses said the personnel fired several shots indiscriminately as residents scampered for safety, resulting in deaths and injuries.
Several others were injured, with one person reportedly suffering amputation.
The Assembly Member for the Dome Keniago Electoral Area, Charles Oduro, confirmed that gunshots were fired repeatedly during the confrontation.
He said the situation had become so dangerous that he was unable to leave his residence.
He said residents had contacted him to report deaths and injuries, but he was yet to venture out to independently establish the extent of the casualties.
The Chief of Dome Keniago, Nana Obeng Mensah Ababio, was also reportedly assaulted after attempting to intervene to stop the personnel from moving the excavator along the road.
There were conflicting reports about his whereabouts, with some accounts suggesting he was being kept at the palace, while others indicated he had gone into hiding over alleged threats to his life.
The Assembly Member was also reportedly forced to flee for his safety as the situation deteriorated.
The injured were rushed to hospital, where they were admitted for treatment.
NAIMOS Statement
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, NAIMOS said two of its personnel sustained injuries following a confrontation with an armed mob during the operation.
According to the statement, the personnel encountered an armed mob that attempted to forcibly obstruct the lawful movement of the seized equipment.
“Faced with the hostile situation, the NAIMOS personnel fired warning shots in an attempt to deter the mob and prevent a further escalation of the confrontation. Unfortunately, two personnel sustained gunshot wounds in the incident,” the statement said.
NAIMOS strongly condemned what it described as an act of aggression and cautioned individuals and groups against obstructing its personnel in the lawful discharge of their duties.
“The Secretariat reiterates that attacks, threats, and other forms of violent resistance against its operations are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” it said.
NAIMOS said it remains resolute in its mandate to combat illegal mining and will continue to undertake lawful enforcement operations across the country, despite acts of intimidation and resistance.
Residents have appealed to the government, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the leadership of NAIMOS to immediately investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah & David Afum, Dome Keniago