A gunfight between security operatives and suspected illegal miners in the Atiwa Forest Reserve resulted in the death of one miner, injury to another, and the arrest of four individuals. The confrontation occurred during Operation GREEN SHIELD, as members of the Anti-Small-Scale Mining Operations Brigade (ASOB) advanced approximately 10 kilometres into the forest to a location identified via drone surveillance as a suspected illegal mining site.
According to operational reports, the team encountered around 50 suspected illegal miners while on foot patrol between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Some miners reportedly fled upon seeing the operatives, while others fired at the team, prompting a return of gunfire. One suspected miner was killed and another wounded during the exchange.
The four arrested suspects include three Malian nationals and one Ghanaian. At the scene, operatives seized two pump-action guns and six rounds of ammunition. The injured suspect received first aid before being transferred to Kyebi Government Hospital for further treatment. The four detainees have been handed over to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for follow-up actions. No security personnel were injured during the operation.
