The communities of Dadwen and Hwidiem have been thrown into a state of shock following a special dawn operation by the police on Wednesday, sanctioned by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The heavily armed police team, deployed as part of a special anti-crime operation, carried out simultaneous raids in the two communities, leading to the arrest of hundreds of men.
According to police sources, the arrests are linked to recent violent attacks on personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce (NAIMOS) at Hwidiem and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office at Dadwen.
Both incidents reportedly occurred during separate anti-galamsey (illegal mining) enforcement exercises in the area.
The suspects, numbering in the hundreds, are being transported to Kumasi for screening to identify the main perpetrators behind the attacks.
Residents described the operation as “sudden and intense,” with police cordoning off major routes and conducting house-to-house searches.
“We woke up to see police everywhere. They were arresting men and taking them away,” one resident told reporters.
Police have yet to release an official statement detailing the total number of arrests or the specific charges expected to be brought against the suspects.
However, sources indicate that the IGP personally authorized the operation as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on violent resistance to government anti-galamsey initiatives.
Authorities have urged calm in the affected communities as investigations continue.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
