One personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has been shot and injured during an anti-galamsey operation in the Bono Region, while one armed assailant was killed following an exchange of gunfire.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the incident occurred along the Subinkuro–Kyeremasu stretch in the Dormaa Central Municipality during a routine operation by the NAIMOS task force.

The statement said the task force came under attack after armed men, who were hiding in nearby bushes, opened fire upon sighting the officers. This triggered a gun battle, during which one NAIMOS officer sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh.

The injured officer was rushed to St. Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro, where he is currently receiving treatment and is responding positively, the statement noted.

During the exchange, one of the assailants was shot and killed. The deceased was identified as Abuu Ibrahim and was pronounced dead on arrival at the same hospital.

NAIMOS condemned the attack and reaffirmed its commitment to combating illegal mining activities despite what it described as persistent attacks and disruptions against its operations. 

The Secretariat also called on stakeholders and the general public to continue supporting efforts to clamp down on illegal mining across the country.

The statement was signed by Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Media Relations Officer of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.  Below is the Statement

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan