story by Isaac Ochem
Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
Location: Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve, Atwima Mponua – Nkawie District, Ashanti Region
Operation Time: Between 0930hrs and 1645hrs
Operatives from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) on Monday, October 20, 2025, launched simultaneous intelligence-led operations targeting illegal miners in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve through the Anwiafutu portion in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.
The operation followed credible intelligence indicating that, despite a major September raid that led to the arrest of nine armed thugs within the reserve, a few illegal miners had resumed operations in isolated sections of the forest.
During the concurrent operations, the Task Force discovered limited signs of renewed mining activity. However, several small-scale illegal miners were found using water pumps to wash previously dug earth. On sighting the team, the miners fled the scene, abandoning their equipment.
The Task Force subsequently destroyed and seized the following items:
4 × Heavy-duty water pumping engines (destroyed)
Several PVC pipes and makeshift shelters (destroyed)
8 × Water pumping machines (seized)
The team proceeded to the Ataso portion of the reserve, where they observed that some mining machines had been moved into nearby communities. At the Ataso site, about 10 × water pumping engines were destroyed.
Following the tracks of the removed machines, the Task Force identified 2 heavy-duty machines — 1 × SDLG Excavator and 1 × SDLG Front Loader — parked at Nwiremu Community. Residents confirmed that armed individuals on motorbikes, wielding pump-action guns, had earlier escorted the equipment into the area.
While the Task Force was on-site, 2 × lowbed trucks arrived, with the drivers stating that they had been called by an unknown person to collect the machinery. The Task Force instructed them to load both machines and escorted them to the 4 Infantry Battalion equipment yard for safekeeping.
During the patrol, it was also observed that streams and water bodies within the forest have shown significant improvement due to the reduction in mining activities following earlier operations.
The successful action against the nine armed thugs during the previous raid and this latest follow-up operation have sent a strong signal to illegal miners, many of whom have vacated the forest reserves. Several previously active mining spots have now turned into ghost towns due to the consistent enforcement efforts.
Items and Equipment Seized
a. 10 × Water pumping machines
b. 1 × Fuel drum
c. 1 × Motorbike
d. 1 × SDLG Excavator
e. 1 × SDLG Front Loader / Wheel Loader
Attached are photos and videos documenting the operation.
