Three people have been confirmed dead following an armed confrontation between personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and a mob at Manso Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.
Two NAIMOS personnel also sustained injuries during the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, while a task force was transporting excavators seized during an anti-illegal mining operation to a designated location for safekeeping.
In an initial statement, NAIMOS said its personnel encountered an armed mob that attempted to forcibly obstruct the movement of the seized equipment.
According to the Secretariat, the officers fired warning shots in an attempt to deter the mob and prevent further escalation of the confrontation.
“Faced with the hostile situation, the NAIMOS personnel fired warning shots in an attempt to deter the mob and prevent a further escalation of the confrontation. Unfortunately, two personnel sustained gunshot wounds in the incident,” the statement said.
In a subsequent update, NAIMOS spokesperson Paa Kwesi Schandorf confirmed that three people had died during the confrontation, revising the casualty picture initially provided by the Secretariat.
“Meanwhile, three persons have been confirmed dead, during the armed confrontation with NAIMOS at Manso Keniago today, while two NAIMOS personnel sustained injuries,” Mr Schandorf stated.
He added that further updates would be provided as more information became available.
The confirmation follows an earlier report by journalist and anti-illegal mining crusader Erastus Asare Donkor, who also reported two deaths in the confrontation.
In a Facebook post, Mr Donkor said illegal miners and residents had blocked the transportation of the seized excavators by pelting NAIMOS personnel with stones.
“Two dead as ‘Galamseyers’ clash with NAIMOS soldiers at Manso Keniago,” he reported.
The latest update from the NAIMOS spokesperson, however, puts the confirmed death toll at three.
The Secretariat has condemned the attack and cautioned individuals and groups against obstructing its personnel in the discharge of their duties.
It described attacks, threats and other forms of violent resistance against its operations as unacceptable and warned that they would not be tolerated.
“NAIMOS remains resolute in its mandate to combat illegal mining and will continue to undertake lawful enforcement operations across the country, despite acts of intimidation and resistance,” the initial statement added.
