The Nkawie Divisional Police have arrested four individuals for allegedly posing as national security operatives to conduct illegal anti-galamsey operations in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality.
Police said the suspects stopped miners at various sites and extorted money under the pretext of enforcing anti-illegal mining laws. Three members of the group allegedly impersonated national security personnel and were seen carrying a privately owned pump-action gun during the operations.
Investigations also identified a pickup vehicle used by the suspects as belonging to the constituency chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Atwima Kwanwoma, Simon Alolga. Police say inquiries are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s use.
Impersonating security personnel is a serious criminal offence in Ghana, and authorities say further investigations are underway.
The arrest follows similar incidents nationwide. In January 2026, the Ghana Police Service arrested five suspects in the Eastern South Region for allegedly posing as officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to extort money from miners. In October 2025, NAIMOS also arrested armed impostors during an operation in the Oda River Forest Reserve.
Police have repeatedly cautioned the public against impersonating security officers, warning that such acts undermine public trust and legitimate efforts to combat illegal mining.
