Two NAIMOS officers wounded in fatal Manso Keniago anti-galamsey clash

Two personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) have sustained gunshot wounds following a confrontation with an armed group at Manso Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 11, while a NAIMOS task force was transporting excavators seized during an anti-illegal mining operation to a designated location for safekeeping.

In a statement, the Secretariat said its personnel encountered an armed mob which attempted to obstruct the movement of the seized equipment.

It said the officers fired warning shots in an attempt to disperse the group and prevent further escalation of the confrontation.

However, two NAIMOS personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the incident which claimed the lives of two civilians.

The Secretariat condemned the attack and cautioned individuals and groups against obstructing its personnel in the discharge of their duties.

It described attacks, threats and other forms of violent resistance against its operations as unacceptable, insisting that they would not be tolerated.

NAIMOS said it remained committed to its mandate to combat illegal mining and would continue undertaking enforcement operations across the country despite acts of intimidation and resistance.