Two self-styled National Security operatives and one accomplice have been arrested by the Central North Regional Police Command for allegedly extorting money from illegal miners, popularly known as galamsey operators, in Asamang, a community located within the Assin Fosu Municipality of the Central Region.
The suspects, identified as Nana Kwame, popularly known in the area as “Money Fresh,” Daniel Amoako Arthur, alias “Rasta,” and one Cobbinah from Assin Bereku, were apprehended while allegedly conducting one of their extortion activities on a galamsey site.
The arrest followed weeks of vigilance by residents of Asamang who had grown suspicious of the trio’s activities. According to community members, the suspects had been frequenting mining sites, claiming to be operatives of the National Security and allegedly demanding money from small-scale miners under threats of arrest or shutdown of their operations.
During their most recent operation, some brave residents confronted the suspects, leading to a brief scuffle. The suspects, reportedly overwhelmed by the locals, were quickly handed over to the New Edubiase Police in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region due to geographical proximity. They were later transferred to the Central North Regional Police Headquarters in Assin Fosu for further investigations.
Speaking to the media, the Central North Regional Police Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye, confirmed the arrest and disclosed that two pistols—one locally manufactured and the other foreign-made—were retrieved from the suspects. In addition to the firearms, the police also recovered several dangerous items, including knives, live cartridges, and a taser.
“The suspects admitted that the weapons were not theirs but had been seized from a galamsey site during one of their earlier visits. However, they failed to hand them over to the authorities, raising more questions about their intentions,” DCOP Acquaye revealed.
He further stated that upon their arrest, the suspects could not produce any form of identification or documentation to confirm their alleged affiliation with the National Security Secretariat, leading the police to treat them as impostors.
The suspects have since been charged with multiple offenses, including possession of firearms without lawful authority and extortion.
They were arraigned before the Assin Kyekyewere Circuit Court earlier this week, but their pleas were not taken. The court, however, granted them bail, and they are expected to reappear on September 4, 2024, to continue with the legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, the police have assured the public that further investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspects are part of a larger network targeting illegal miners in the region. Residents have been encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving persons impersonating security personnel.
This arrest comes amid growing concerns about the rise in fake security operatives exploiting the fight against illegal mining for personal gain, especially in mining-prone regions like the Central, Western, and Ashanti regions.
