In a determined effort to combat illegal mining activities, the Upper West Regional Police Command has successfully apprehended seven individuals in the Chiantanga Community, which is located near Dorimon in the Wa West District. The arrests were made on Thursday, April 10, 2025, following a police operation targeting illegal mining operations along the Black Volta River.
The details of this operation were formally announced in a press statement issued by the Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Nii Darko Offei Lomotey. The statement, which was also disseminated to 3news.com, identified the seven suspects taken into custody as Sabugu Razak, Ibrahim Zuberu, Alex Ameszake, John Cobblah, Promise Dufe, Angelina Akpese, and Rebecca Tumawu. These individuals are now in police custody and are currently assisting with the ongoing investigation into their alleged involvement in illegal mining.
The police operation also resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of equipment commonly associated with illegal mining activities. According to the official statement, law enforcement officers retrieved ten Changfang machines from the mining site. Changfang machines are known to be used in the extraction of minerals, often in an environmentally damaging and unregulated manner. In addition to these machines, the police also confiscated two unregistered PNE tricycles and two tricycles and a motorbike with registration numbers M-24-NR 6010 and M-23-UW 4413. Furthermore, two unregistered Haojue and Apsonic motorbikes were also seized from the location. The presence of these vehicles suggests their use in transporting personnel, equipment, and possibly illegally mined materials to and from the site. The items seized also included six student mattresses, indicating that the individuals involved may have been residing at the mining location.
The press statement made it clear that all the arrested suspects are currently being held in police custody as the investigation progresses. Following the completion of the initial investigation, the police have stated their intention to present the suspects before a court of law to face charges related to their alleged illegal mining activities. This action underscores the commitment of the police to upholding the laws governing mining operations and ensuring that individuals who engage in unauthorized and potentially harmful extraction practices are held accountable.
This recent operation in the Upper West Region is not an isolated incident, as evidenced by other recent reports of arrests related to illegal mining in different parts of the country. These ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies highlight the persistent challenge that illegal mining poses to the environment, local communities, and the regulated mining sector. The use of heavy machinery like Changfang machines often leads to significant land degradation, water pollution, and deforestation, impacting ecosystems and livelihoods.
The Upper West Regional Police Command, through its official statement, has firmly reiterated its unwavering commitment to cracking down on all forms of illegal mining activities within the region. This strong stance sends a clear message to individuals and groups involved in such practices that their actions will not be tolerated, and that law enforcement agencies will actively pursue and prosecute those who violate mining regulations. The police's proactive approach, as demonstrated by this recent arrest and seizure, signals a continued effort to protect the natural resources of the Upper West Region and to ensure that mining activities are conducted in a lawful and sustainable manner. The outcome of the legal proceedings against the arrested individuals will be closely watched as a further indication of the authorities' resolve in tackling the issue of illegal mining.
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