NAIMOS member injured, one assailant shot dead during illegal mining operation in Bono Region

A member of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has been injured in an exchange of gunfire with illegal miners during an operation in the Bono Region on Tuesday.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday night, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said the incident occurred in a bush along the Subinkurom-Kyeremasu stretch in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region.

The Ministry said the "armed thugs, who were hiding in the bushes, opened fire on sighting the NAIMOS task force."

"This led to an exchange of gunfire, during which one NAIMOS personnel sustained a gunshot injury," it added.

The injured officer was taken to the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro, where he is currently responding to treatment.

It has been explained that one of the assailants who opened fire on the NAIMOS task force was shot dead during the exchanges.

The deceased, identified as Abuu Ibrahim, was pronounced dead on arrival at the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital.

Attached below is a copy of the Ministry's statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: STATEMENT ON SHOOTING OF NAIMOS PERSONNEL AND DEATH OF ARMED ASSAILANT

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) wishes to inform the public that earlier today, Tuesday, 20th January 2026, a member of its task force was shot in the thigh by armed assailants during a routine anti-galamsey operation.

The incident occurred in a bush along the Subinkurom-Kyeremasu stretch in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region.

The armed thugs, who were hiding in the bushes, opened fire on sighting the NAIMOS task force. This led to an exchange of gunfire, during which one NAIMOS personnel sustained a gunshot injury.

The injured officer was swiftly rushed to the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro, where he is currently responding to treatment.

Meanwhile, one of the assailants who opened fire on the NAIMOS task force was shot dead during the exchanges. The deceased, identified as Abuu Ibrahim, was pronounced dead on arrival at the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital.

NAIMOS wishes to assure that despite the persistent attacks and disruptions, it remains committed to fighting the scourge of illegal mining and urges all stakeholders to continue with support for its operations.