Ankobra river: A suspected illegal miner, believed to be armed, has reportedly been arrested by officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) during an operation along the Ankobra River.
According to Ghana Web, in a viral video shared on X on May 21, 2026, officials believed to be part of the anti-galamsey task force were seen confronting the suspect over the possession of a firearm, believed to be a pump-action gun. One of the officials in the video questioned the suspect, who was covered in mud, about the weapon and whether he possessed a valid license. The official could be heard saying, "You are fighting with soldiers here. You said you can fight us. You are holding a weapon. Where is the pump action? Bring the pump action here."
The official further pressed the suspect over the legality of the firearm, repeatedly asking, "Do you have a license? Do you have a license?" The arrests reportedly occurred during an anti-illegal mining operation along the Ankobra River, an area significantly affected by illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey. However, details surrounding the identity of the suspect and whether formal charges have been filed remain unclear.