The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has been instructed by Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno to assume responsibility for the investigation into an attack on National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) officials at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.
The violent event happened on Saturday, November 1, when a group of suspected illegal miners were apprehended near Bronikrom by the NAIMOS Director of Operations and his team.
Additionally, firearms and vehicles thought to be connected to the suspects were seized as a result of the operation.
Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, reportedly showed up at the site with a group of people and demanded the suspects’ immediate release, according to police reports.
The gang dragged the suspects out of their shackles and forced the NAIMOS team to evacuate after the officers refused.
Later that day, a group of over 600 people, allegedly organised by the MP, stormed the Hwidiem Police Station and demanded that the accused and their cars be released.
The crowd threatened to burn down the police station, damaged portions of it, and vandalised the director’s vehicle.
With military assistance, reinforcement units from the Ahafo Regional Police Command were quickly sent in to control the situation.
The security forces and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem worked together to mediate and facilitate the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS officers, which ultimately brought peace back.
The pandemonium caused damage to the Chief’s vehicle, but no casualties were recorded.
According to the police, the Asutifi North MP has been asked to help with further investigations, and the CID Headquarters will now be in charge of the attack’s investigation.
Police Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com