The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over the probe into the violent attack on the Director of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and his team at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region over the weekend.

The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has also been invited by the police to assist with ongoing investigations.

According to preliminary police findings, the incident occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, when the NAIMOS Director and his team intercepted a group of illegal miners operating near Bronikrom. The team reportedly arrested some suspects and retrieved several items, including a Smith & Wesson pistol, two magazines loaded with 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and multiple mobile phones.

While the team was preparing to transfer the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, the MP allegedly arrived at the scene accompanied by several men and demanded the release of the arrested miners. When the request was denied, the group is said to have forcibly freed the suspects, removed their handcuffs, and chased the NAIMOS operatives from the area.

Later, a mob of about 600 people, reportedly incited by the MP, stormed the Hwidiem Police Station, demanding the release of the suspects and seized vehicles. The rioters vandalised the NAIMOS Director’s vehicle, damaged parts of the police station, and threatened to set it ablaze.

A reinforcement team from the Ahafo Regional Police Command, supported by the military, was dispatched to restore order. Calm was eventually restored through the joint efforts of the security forces and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, who intervened to mediate the situation and ensure the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS team.

The police confirmed that no injuries were recorded, though the Zongo Chief’s vehicle was damaged in the process.

In a statement, the Ghana Police Service strongly condemned the attack and warned against any form of interference in law enforcement operations. The Service further announced the launch of a special operation to identify and arrest all perpetrators to face the full rigours of the law.

Mr Kwaku Addo, however, has denied the allegations, stating in a media interview that he only went to the scene to calm tensions, not to incite the crowd.

The CID has since taken over the case as investigations continue.