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Colonel Dominic Buah, the Director of Operations at the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), has issued a strong warning to illegal miners, stressing that his taskforce will respond with force if shot at.
During an editor’s forum in Accra on March 25, Colonel Buah made it clear that any illegal miner who attempts to fire at members of his team will face equal retaliation. He emphasized that military officers, including those in the NAIMOS taskforce, have the right to self-defense.
“NAIMOS will not tolerate any use of weapons against us. If you shoot at us, we will shoot back,” Colonel Buah stated firmly. “We abide by the rules governing firearms, but we will protect ourselves.”
Responding to questions about when a “shoot to kill” policy might be considered, he reaffirmed that the taskforce’s actions are strictly in line with self-defense protocols, but any attempt to harm them will be met with force.
Colonel Buah also addressed growing concerns regarding the involvement of foreign nationals in illegal mining activities, revealing that the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana has expressed concern over the increasing number of Chinese nationals engaged in galamsey.
As part of the ongoing nationwide crackdown on illegal mining, Colonel Buah reported the arrest of 237 individuals, the majority of whom are foreigners. The operation has also led to the seizure and destruction of over 90 excavators and nearly 3,000 chanfang machines, with a notable reduction in excavator usage at illegal mining sites.
He further stated that where it’s not possible to remove seized equipment, key components are dismantled to render the machines inoperable, underscoring the significant impact the ongoing crackdown is having on galamsey operations.
The operations have been deemed successful, with a reported 87.7% success rate, signaling a substantial step forward in the fight against illegal mining.
Story: Efua Nessa
Source:Loco tv