One dead, four arrested as illegal miners clash with NAIMOS operatives in Atiwa Forest Reserve

One suspected illegal miner has been killed and another injured after a group of suspected illegal miners opened fire on operatives of Operation GREEN SHIELD during an enforcement operation in the Atiwa Forest Reserve.

Four suspects — three Malian nationals and a Ghanaian — were arrested following the armed confrontation.

An operational account said the incident occurred on Monday, November 2, when operatives from the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) team advanced about 10 kilometres into the forest to another suspected illegal mining site identified through drone surveillance.

The foot patrol, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., led the team to a site where about 50 suspected illegal miners were reportedly working.

On seeing the operatives, some of the miners attempted to flee, while others allegedly opened fire on the patrol team.

The operatives returned fire, killing one of the suspected miners and injuring another. Two pump-action guns and six rounds of ammunition were also seized during the encounter.

The injured suspect was given first aid by the operatives before being evacuated to the Kyebi Government Hospital for further medical attention.

The four arrested suspects were subsequently handed over to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for further action.

No casualties were recorded among the enforcement team.