The Eastern South Regional Police Command has arrested five suspects for impersonating officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and extorting money from small-scale miners in the Abuakwa South Municipality.
The suspects, identified as Moses Tapiam (43), Christopher Amakor (29), Casimir Nunekpeku (29), Wisdom Miwonuko (35), and Paul Agbanu (53), were taken into custody on Friday, January 2, 2026.
According to a press release issued on January 3, 2026, by the Public Affairs Unit of the Eastern South Regional Command, the suspects were dressed in security uniforms and falsely claimed to be NAIMOS operatives dispatched from Accra.
They allegedly visited various mining sites in Akwadum, near Kibi, demanding and collecting money from miners under the pretext of official duties.
A NAIMOS team intercepted the suspects in Akwadum while they were travelling in a Mitsubishi 4×4 Pick-Up vehicle with registration number GS 536-25. The group was subsequently handed over to the Eastern South Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Kibi for further probing.
The police have warned residents, particularly those inclined to impersonate security personnel, to desist from such acts, noting that it constitutes a criminal offence. The statement assured the public that anyone caught engaging in similar impersonation will face arrest and prosecution.
The five suspects remain in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned in court soon.