'NAIMOS attacked my people first' – Manso Keniago chief speaks on deadly clash

The chief of Manso Keniago, Nana Obeng Mensah Ababio II, has claimed that officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) attacked its personnel during a clash that left three people dead and 13 others injured.

Addressing the media on November 12, 2026, the chief maintained that his people did not initiate the violence and challenged NAIMOS officials to prove their claims.

"I want to put it on record that residents of Manso Keniago did not attack NAIMOS first. It was NAIMOS officials who attacked them first. If what they are saying is true, they should come and take an oath. I am backed by the gods, and I cannot lie," he said.

The traditional ruler further explained that he became alarmed after seeing an excavator being moved from the area, prompting him to engage the security personnel who had accompanied the operation.

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He said he later saw police officers and soldiers at the scene as efforts were made to engage the team.

The confrontation occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during an operation by NAIMOS personnel to transport excavators seized from the Manso Keniago area to a designated location for safekeeping.

According to NAIMOS, its task force encountered an armed mob that attempted to obstruct the movement of the seized equipment.

In a statement, the secretariat said two of its personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation.

The incident resulted in the deaths of three community members, while 13 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

See the video below:

“NAIMOS issued a statement claiming that my people attacked them first. It’s a lie. I am sitting on the gods’ stool, so I can’t lie. NAIMOS personnel attacked my people first.”

— Chief of Manso Keniago speaks after three of his people were shot dead, while 13 others sustained varying degrees of injuries, during a clash between NAIMOS personnel and community members over the seizure of illegal mining equipment.

— 𝐀𝐒𝐊 (@askghmedia) November 12, 2026

JKB/BAI

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