A notorious illegal mining kingpin, Iddrisu Zakari, popularly known as “Yaayaa,” has been arrested in a sting operation at Bonsu.

This was after attempting to negotiate the release of his arrested accomplices and stop ongoing investigations into his activities.

The arrest took place on Monday, November 10, 2025, around 6:06 p.m., following a planned meeting between Zakari and operatives from NAIMOS, who had been tracking his operations for weeks.

According to officials, Zakari was lured into the meeting after he expressed interest in securing the freedom of his thugs and influencing the outcome of the probe into his illegal mining business within the Osino Residential Area.

The development comes days after a November 7 raid by NAIMOS on Zakari’s galamsey site, where 32 Nigerien nationals and four Ghanaian machete-wielding guards were arrested.

Zakari has since been handed over to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations.