The Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, has dismissed allegations suggesting he demanded the release of suspects apprehended by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
Dauda, speaking on Asempa FM on Monday, November 3, 2025, said he was abroad attending meetings for the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa when he received multiple calls alerting him about military personnel operating in his constituency.
He explained that he first contacted the local assemblyman, requesting him to visit the site and brief him on the ongoing operations. However, Dauda said the NAIMOS team commander initially refused to provide any information.
To gain clarity, he then reached out to the Asutifi North MP, Ebenezer Addo, who was attending a funeral in the area, asking him to visit the site and facilitate communication with the NAIMOS commander. Dauda emphasized that Addo’s visit was at his request, not on the MP’s initiative.
Once Addo arrived at the site, the commander spoke with Dauda over the phone, explaining that some individuals had been caught illegally mining and their shelters had been demolished. Dauda maintained that he had no involvement in the handling of the suspects and the call ended before any further discussion.
He later learned about an attack on the NAIMOS team by local youths but firmly denied any connection. “I never ordered the release of any suspects. I wasn’t aware of thugs at the site. Why would I organise thugs and direct an MP to lead them?” he asserted.
Dauda’s statement sought to clarify his position and refute claims that he influenced the NAIMOS operations, stressing that he acted only to obtain factual updates about the situation.
Watch the interview below:
