Eight National Security operatives granted police bail after Awisam robbery claims
The arrests followed claims that the group entered the community in a black Mitsubishi pick-up with registration number GS 8293-18 and a Toyota Voxy, and carried out what residents believed was another unlawful raid disguised as an official operation.
Eight National Security operatives arrested in the Assin Fosu Municipality over allegations that they robbed illegal miners at Awisam have been granted police enquiry bail.
The case has drawn added attention because two of the suspects are said to be sons of prominent politicians from the governing party in the area.
The arrests followed claims that the group entered the community in a black Mitsubishi pick-up with registration number GS 8293-18 and a Toyota Voxy, and carried out what residents believed was another unlawful raid disguised as an official operation.
Victims told the media that during the exercise, the operatives took control of an excavator and made away with gold, cash and mobile phones.
That account quickly inflamed tempers in the community, where some residents say the same group has repeatedly targeted miners under the cover of state security work.
The anger nearly turned violent. Residents confronted the operatives, let down the tyres of their vehicles and reportedly attempted to attack them. The situation was only contained after the community’s Mmrantehene stepped in and handed the suspects over to police at Awisam.
Even after the arrests, tension remained high. Large numbers of youth reportedly massed at the police station, forcing the Central North Regional Police Command to deploy reinforcement before the suspects were moved under heavy security to Assin Fosu.
Police sources say preliminary questioning indicates that the suspects admitted taking mobile phones, but claimed they did so as exhibits. They denied stealing any gold.
Some local youth, however, insist the latest incident fits a longer pattern. One resident alleged that the same group had, in earlier encounters, extorted money from miners and even destroyed equipment after demands were not met.
In his account, a miner paid GH¢120,000 but still had a water DAF excavator engine set ablaze last year.
The latest allegations have revived fears in the area that operations said to be targeting illegal mining are, in some cases, being used as a front for extortion.
