The Eastern South Regional Police Command has taken into custody five persons alleged to be fake officers of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for impersonation and extortion.
The suspects, identified as Moses Tapiam, 43; Christopher Amakor, 29; Casimir Nunekpeku, 29; Wisdom Miwonuko, 35; and Paul Agbanu, 53, were arrested on Friday, January 2, while dressed in security uniforms and claiming to be NAIMOS operatives from Accra.
A press release signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) David Fianko Okyere, Head of the Command’s Public Affairs Unit, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday said the suspects were reported to have moved from one mining site to another at Akwadum in the Abuakwa South Municipality near Kibi, extorting money from miners.
It said a NAIMOS team arrested the suspects at Akwadum while they were travelling in a Mitsubishi 4×4 pick-up vehicle with registration number GS 536–25.
They were subsequently handed over to the Eastern South Regional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Kibi for further investigations.
The release advised residents, especially persons impersonating security officers, to desist from such criminal acts, stressing that impersonation constituted a punishable offence.
It assured the public that individuals holding themselves out as security operatives without lawful authority would be arrested and prosecuted.
“The five suspects are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations and will be arraigned in due course,” the release said.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
5 Jan. 2025
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