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Four people have reportedly been killed, while 15 others sustained injuries following a violent confrontation between residents of Manso Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region and personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
The updated casualty figures were disclosed by the area’s Assembly Member, Charles Oduro, following an earlier report that two NAIMOS officers had sustained gunshot wounds during a confrontation with an armed group.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Mr Oduro explained that the incident started after disagreements emerged over the transportation of excavators seized by the NAIMOS task force during an anti-illegal mining operation.
According to him, some residents and traditional authorities wanted the seized excavators transported out of the community using low-bed trailers instead of being driven along the road.
He said the disagreement subsequently escalated into gunfire, resulting in four deaths and leaving 15 people injured.
Mr Oduro indicated that the victims were from Manso Keniago and neighbouring communities, including Ketanpo.
“Some are from there, and others from Keniago, and others from different communities,” he stated.
The Assembly Member made the disclosure while visiting some of the injured persons receiving medical attention at St Martin’s Hospital. He described the situation as distressing and revealed that a police officer was also struck during efforts to restore calm.
He explained that the police had intervened to de-escalate tensions and ensure the NAIMOS personnel used the agreed route to transport the excavators. However, an officer was reportedly hit during the confrontation.
“Even the police came to intervene, to let the NAIMOS people calm down, so that they take the right turn to convey the excavator. But even one police officer was hit by one of the NAIMOS,” he said.
He further disclosed that a police inspector was present at the scene and had attempted to calm the situation.
When asked whether any NAIMOS personnel had been injured, Mr Oduro said he had not personally witnessed any such cases.
However, NAIMOS had earlier confirmed that two of its personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. In its account, the Secretariat said its task force encountered an armed group attempting to obstruct the movement of the seized excavators.
The Secretariat added that its officers fired warning shots in an attempt to prevent the situation from escalating further.
While the Assembly Member has reported four deaths and 15 injuries, the casualty figures have not yet been independently verified.