An excavator operator, Ahmed Nuhu, has been arrested by the Ghana Police Service following his involvement in illegal mining—commonly referred to as galamsey—in the Apranum Forest Reserve near the Pra River in the Asante Akyem area.
The arrest was made after officials from the Akim Oda Forestry Commission, acting on intelligence, intercepted the group in the midst of their illegal activities. The team, led by Richmond Amo-Adjei, Assistant District Manager of the Commission, and supported by forestry guards, conducted the operation and successfully apprehended Nuhu. Several other individuals involved managed to escape into the forest and are currently on the run.
According to Amo-Adjei, the perpetrators had already cleared approximately two hectares of land and deployed two excavators for the illicit mining operation. The heavy machinery has since been confiscated by the authorities.
“We were returning from a community walk in Kade when we received a tip-off about illegal mining in the forest. We immediately mobilized our Rapid Response Team and moved to the location. Although some of the miners fled upon being alerted by their lookouts, we were able to arrest one excavator operator,” Amo-Adjei told the media.
The suspect, Ahmed Nuhu, has been handed over to the Dwaso Police, who have taken over the investigation and are working to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Amo-Adjei issued a stern warning to illegal miners operating in protected forest areas, urging them to cease their activities and vacate the reserves before facing the full force of the law.
Source; Citinewsroom
0 Comments