Four armed men guarding an illegal mining site at Anbanzie in the Nzema East District of the Western Region have been arrested after a night operation by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat.

The operation took place on February Monday 9 2026, between 6.00 p.m. and 8.30 p.m according to a Facebook post by the deputy CEO of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko.

The secretariat said its task force met violent resistance while attempting to enter the site during an intelligence-led exercise.

According to the secretariat, about fifteen men armed with cutlasses and wearing cowries around their bodies tried to block the convoy and attacked personnel carrying out their lawful duties.

Officers overpowered the group and arrested four suspects, while others fled. The team later raided and destroyed the illegal mining installation at the location.

The suspects were identified as Massawudu Alhassan, 34, Zuberu Ahmidu, 32, William Boateng, 28, and Ernest Abeka, 22.

Preliminary questioning indicated the four were among a group recruited by the site owner to guard the operation. They told investigators that about 28 individuals had been engaged for that purpose.

The suspects have been handed over to the Salma Police Station to assist with further investigations and possible prosecution.

Commenting on the exercise, Colonel Dominic Buah, Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, warned illegal mining operators and armed guards to desist from attacking taskforce personnel.

He said members of the team would defend themselves against any resistance encountered during operations.

The secretariat said it will continue intelligence-led operations in mining areas to curb illegal mining and protect communities and natural resources.