The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested a man identified as David Bobie Peter, said to be an elder of The Church of Pentecost, for allegedly operating an illegal mining site at Akyem Morso near Juaso in the Ashanti Region.
The arrest followed a targeted operation along the Kume River, spanning Morso, Kyekyebiase and Bimma in the Asante Akim South District.
According to NAIMOS, the task force first stormed a large illegal mining enclave at Kyekyebiase, where several young men were found actively engaged in mining. The operators, however, fled into nearby bush paths upon sighting the team, abandoning their equipment.
Although no immediate arrests were made at that stage, the task force proceeded to dismantle the site, destroying eight chanfang machines and four wooden gold-washing platforms through controlled burning. Several hose pipes were also set ablaze, while 12 water pumping machines were seized.
A further sweep of the area led the team to a concealed excavator hidden within a nearby cocoa farm. The machine had already been partially disabled, but officers rendered it completely inoperable by removing key components.
NAIMOS said the suspect was later picked up during the operation after he approached the team claiming he was visiting his farm. “Intelligence… established that the man was in fact a foreman of one of the illegal mining sites,” the statement noted.
Upon questioning, he allegedly admitted to overseeing operations at a site in Morso and said he had been sent by his employer to confirm reports of the task force’s presence. He subsequently led officers to the location.
At the site, the extent of environmental destruction became evident, with sections of the Kume River heavily polluted and diverted to support mining activities. Another excavator was found and similarly disabled by the task force.
NAIMOS described the suspect’s alleged role and admission, alongside his position as a church elder, as raising serious concerns. He has since been handed over to the Konongo District Police for further investigations and possible prosecution.
The Secretariat has issued a strong warning to individuals involved in illegal mining, stressing that enforcement will not be influenced by status or affiliation.
“The fight against illegal mining demands a unified, unwavering and uncompromising response,” NAIMOS said, urging authorities and communities to intensify monitoring efforts to curb environmental destruction.
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