The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested three suspected illegal miners after they allegedly attempted to bribe members of its taskforce with GH¢119,825 following a major operation in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The arrests occurred on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, when the NAIMOS taskforce revisited illegal mining hotspots at Edwinase and Kokotro as part of ongoing anti-galamsey operations. The team had earlier conducted raids in the area, forcing illegal miners to abandon their activities.
At Kokotro, officers uncovered an illegal mining site operating within close proximity to residential areas. The location, according to the taskforce, posed serious risks to lives, property and the environment.
During the operation, the team destroyed makeshift shelters, industrial water pumping machines and other equipment used for illegal mining. They also seized a Liugong excavator, two Liugong monitors and an unregistered motorcycle believed to be linked to the operations.
However, while the taskforce was returning to base, three men identified as Emmanuel Koblah, Samuel Addai and Kofi Frimpong reportedly intercepted them in a black Tundra F150 pickup with registration number GR 4743–16. The suspects claimed ownership of the Kokotro mining site and allegedly offered GH¢119,825 in cash in an attempt to retrieve the seized equipment.
The taskforce immediately rejected the offer and arrested the three men. They have since been handed over to the Bekwai Police Station to assist with investigations and possible prosecution.
NAIMOS confirmed that the attempted bribe, together with the seized excavator monitors and the vehicle used by the suspects, has been secured at its headquarters as evidence.
The Secretariat has cautioned illegal miners and their collaborators that any attempt to influence officers through bribery will lead to swift arrest and prosecution. It also called on local authorities and security agencies to step up surveillance at previously raided sites to prevent illegal miners from returning.
NAIMOS says the fight against galamsey remains a top priority as the environmental and safety consequences continue to threaten affected communities across the country.
Story by Sheila Otuo – Baffour