One armed thug has been killed while a soldier sustained a gunshot injury following a violent encounter between armed assailants and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force during a routine patrol in the Bono Region.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at about 11:10 a.m., along the Subinkurom–Kyeremasu road in a bushy area within Dormaa Central.
According to a statement issued by NAIMOS, the task force encountered a group of armed thugs riding motorbikes when the assailants suddenly opened fire upon sighting the patrol team. The initial gunfire reportedly deflated the right rear tyre of the task force’s lead vehicle.
The task force returned fire in self-defence. During the exchange, one NAIMOS soldier was shot in the right thigh, while one of the armed thugs sustained gunshot wounds to the left thigh and upper abdomen. The remaining assailants fled the scene on their motorbikes.
Both injured persons were rushed to St Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro for medical treatment. However, the armed thug was pronounced dead on arrival, while the injured NAIMOS soldier is responding positively to treatment, authorities said.
Following the incident, NAIMOS intensified patrols in the area throughout the night as part of ongoing operations against illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.
NAIMOS has issued a strong warning to illegal miners and armed groups, urging them to desist from violent and criminal acts, stressing that security forces remain committed to protecting personnel and safeguarding communities during anti-galamsey operations.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.