The Eastern South Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service has taken into custody five suspects impersonating as operatives of National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and extorting money from miners.
The suspects identified as Moses Tapiam, 43; Christopher Amakor, 29; Casimir Nunekpeku, 29; Wisdom Miwonuko, 35; and Paul Agbanu, 53 — were arrested on Friday, January 2, 2026, after reports that they were moving from one mining site to another in Akwadum, near Kibi in the Abuakwa South Municipality, demanding money while dressed in security uniforms.
According to police, the suspects claimed to be NAIMOS operatives from Accra. They were arrested by a genuine NAIMOS team while onboard a Mitsubishi 4×4 pick-up truck with registration number GS 536-25.
The team subsequently handed them over to the Eastern South Regional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Kibi for further investigations.
In a statement signed by the Public Affairs Officer of the Eastern South Region, DSP David Fianko Okyere, the police cautioned members of the public against impersonating security officials, stressing that such acts constitute a criminal offence under Ghanaian law.
The police further assured the public of their commitment to clamp down on individuals who falsely present themselves as security operatives, noting that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted.
The five suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations.
They are expected to be arraigned before court in due course.
NAIMOS made up of various security agencies was innaugurated in 2025 by government to serve as the operational nerve center for Ghana’s fight against mining and its associated environmental destruction.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh
