CID Takes Over Probe into Attack on NAIMOS Officials at Hwidiem; Asutifi North MP Invited for Questioning

  The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over investigations into a violent attack on the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and his team at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.

The attack, which occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, is alleged to have been incited by the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo. The legislator has been invited by the police to assist in ongoing investigations.

According to preliminary findings, the NAIMOS Director and his team intercepted a group of illegal miners operating near Bronikrom and arrested several suspects. Items retrieved from the scene included a Smith & Wesson pistol with two magazines, 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and several mobile phones.

While preparing to hand over the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, the MP allegedly arrived with a group of men and demanded the release of the arrested miners. When his demand was refused, the group reportedly removed the suspects’ handcuffs and chased the NAIMOS team away.

Shortly afterward, a mob of about 600 people, allegedly mobilized by the MP, stormed the Hwidiem Police Station, vandalizing vehicles, damaging parts of the station, and threatening to set it ablaze. Reinforcement teams from the Ahafo Regional Command were swiftly deployed to restore order.

Calm was later restored through the joint intervention of the police, the military, and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, who helped mediate the situation and ensure the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS officials. Although the Chief’s vehicle was damaged during the chaos, no injuries were reported.

The CID Headquarters has since taken over the case to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.