The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested a church elder for allegedly operating an illegal mining site at Akyem Morso in the Asante Akim South District.
The suspect, David Bobie Peter, was apprehended following a targeted operation along the Kume River, spanning the communities of Morso, Kyekyebiase and Bimma.
During questioning, Mr. Bobie Peter identified himself as an elder of The Church of Pentecost branch at Konongo.
The operation began at a sprawling illegal mining enclave at Kyekyebiase, where several youths were found actively engaged in mining during the dawn raid.
On sighting the task force, the illegal miners fled, abandoning their equipment.
The task force pursued the fleeing miners through nearby bush paths but made no arrests at that stage, as the miners were familiar with escape routes within the enclave.
Officers subsequently dismantled eight Chanfang machines and four wooden gold washing platforms through controlled burning. Several pipe hoses used in the illegal operations were also set ablaze, while 12 water pumping machines were seized as exhibits.
A sweep of the surrounding area revealed fresh excavator tracks leading into an adjoining cocoa farm, where a Sany excavator had been concealed among the crops. An assessment showed its control boards and monitor had already been removed.
The NAIMOS excavator operator rendered the machine inoperable by detaching its oil pump and other vital components.
During the sweep, a middle-aged man in a yellow T-shirt and white shorts approached the task force. He initially claimed he was visiting his farm, but intelligence received by the team identified him as a foreman of an illegal mining site in the area.
Confronted with the information, the man — who identified himself as David Bobie Peter — confessed to being the foreman of a site at Morso.
He told officers he had been sent by his boss, a Mr. Appiah, to verify the presence of the NAIMOS task force after news of the operation began circulating.
Mr. Bobie Peter then led the task force to his mining site at Morso. Officers found large-scale environmental degradation, with the Kume River heavily polluted and substantial portions of its natural course diverted to feed the illicit operation. A second Sany excavator was found at the site.
The task force immobilised it by removing its oil pump, as the machine had no monitor or control board fitted.
Mr. Bobie Peter has since been handed over to the Konongo District Police for further investigation and prosecution.
In a statement, NAIMOS issued a stern caution to all persons engaged in illegal mining, regardless of social standing, religious office or political affiliation.
“The fight against illegal mining demands a unified, unwavering and uncompromising response from every arm of the state and every section of society,” the Secretariat said.
“NAIMOS remains resolute in its mandate to bring offenders to book irrespective of their station in life.”
The Secretariat called on local administrative authorities, traditional rulers, intelligence agencies and security services in affected districts to intensify monitoring and enforcement to forestall environmental crimes.
The Atewa Range and other forest reserves remain critical watersheds and biodiversity hotspots, NAIMOS noted, adding that illegal mining continues to threaten forest integrity, water bodies, and surrounding communities.
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Source:
opemsuo.com