NAIMOS officer shot during anti-galamsey operation; one assailant killed

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has confirmed that one of its task force officers was shot during an anti-galamsey operation in the Bono Region on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The incident occurred along the Subinkurom–Kyeremasu stretch in the Dormaa Central Municipality, where the task force was conducting an operation against illegal mining activities.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, NAIMOS disclosed that armed assailants who were hiding in nearby bushes opened fire on the team after spotting them, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

One NAIMOS officer sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh and was rushed to St. Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro. The officer is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be responding well.

During the confrontation, one of the attackers, identified as Abuu Ibrahim, was shot and later pronounced dead on arrival at the same hospital.

NAIMOS reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against illegal mining despite the risks involved and called on stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to protect Ghana’s natural resources.