Ebenezer Addo (L) claims Collins Dauda told him to find out what was happening in his constituency
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has explained that he intervened in the operation of the National Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Ahafo Hwidiem upon the request of the MP for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda.
He said he chanced upon a commotion at Ahafo Hwidiem, which falls within Collins Dauda’s constituency, and called him to inform him about the situation.
Addo denied allegations that he incited a mob or obstructed the NAIMOS team to secure the release of persons arrested by the military officers.
“The incident happened in my neighbouring constituency, Asutifi South. What happened was that for us politicians, when we go to our constituencies, Saturdays are market days. By market days, I mean we attend a lot of funerals and weddings.
"I was going to a funeral at (sic)... and on my way, I heard some commotion going on at Hwidiem, which made me call the MP for the area, who I share boundaries with, Honourable Collins Dauda. I asked him whether he was in the constituency, and he made me aware that he was not in the constituency,” he said.
He added, “Then, I told him that I have heard that something is going on in your constituency, and I’m in Hwidiem. And he said that ‘if you are in my constituency, kindly check what is happening there and let me know the people who have come on an operation there.’”
According to him, he followed Collins Dauda’s instructions and approached the NAIMOS officers. Upon meeting them, he introduced himself, noting that it was the first time he was encountering them.
He explained that after introducing himself, he handed his phone to the leader of the NAIMOS officers to speak directly with Collins Dauda.
“As we were there, I saw that a lot of people were trooping in, and there was a likelihood that things would escalate. So, we moved to the police station, and when we got there, the road was blocked. So, myself, the military, and the police were all locked up in the police station,” he recounted.
About the attack:
According to a report by Erastus Asare Donkor, ten military officers who are members of the National Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), led by their Director of Operations, conducted an operation in the Ahafo Region on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
He indicated that during the operation, the NAIMOS Director received information that an excavator was actively being used for illegal mining along the roadside near Branikrom, prompting the team to move to the area and arrest the illegal miners, including a Burkinabé national.
Erastus Asare Donkor further stated that the NAIMOS team demanded the presence of the site owner at the location where the mining activities were taking place.
He added that an individual later arrived, identifying himself as a Defence Intelligence (DI) representative from the Ahafo Region, followed by another person who reportedly claimed to be the site owner.
A search conducted by the NAIMOS team at the site led to the discovery of various types of ammunition, as well as cash and mobile phones.
BAI/MA
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