Six Feared Dead In NAIMOS Bloodbath
A bloody confrontation between residents of Dome Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region and military personnel suspected to be members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has reportedly left six persons dead, several others injured and one person allegedly amputated.
The shocking incident, which occurred around 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2026, reportedly followed a disagreement over the movement of an excavator seized by the security personnel during an anti-illegal mining operation.
The operation, which was expected to target illegal mining activities in the area, allegedly turned bloody after some chiefs and residents challenged the personnel over their decision to drive the excavator along a tarred road.
According to eyewitness accounts, the residents feared that moving the heavy-duty machine on the road could destroy it and therefore suggested that it should be transported on a low-bed truck.
However, the suggestion allegedly infuriated the military personnel, resulting in a heated confrontation that quickly escalated into gunfire.
The personnel allegedly opened fire indiscriminately, sending residents running for their lives as bullets reportedly hit several people.
The incident has plunged the community into shock and mourning, with residents reportedly struggling to come to terms with the scale of the violence.
Chief Assaulted
The Chief of Dome Keniago, Nana Obeng Mensah Ababio, was also reportedly assaulted after attempting to intervene in the confrontation and prevent the personnel from moving the excavator along the road.
There were conflicting reports about his whereabouts following the incident, with some accounts indicating that he was being held at the palace, while others suggested that he had gone into hiding after allegedly receiving threats to his life.
The Assembly Member for the Dome Keniago Electoral Area, Charles Oduro, also reportedly fled for his safety as the situation deteriorated.
In an account of the incident, Mr. Oduro confirmed that the security personnel fired several shots during the confrontation, making it dangerous for residents to venture outdoors.
He said residents had contacted him with reports of deaths and injuries, but he was yet to go out to independently ascertain the extent of the casualties.
Residents Demand Probe
The residents have called on President John Dramani Mahama, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the leadership of NAIMOS to urgently investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
They have also expressed concern over the alleged conduct of the security personnel, insisting that an operation against illegal mining should not result in the loss of innocent lives.
Meanwhile, NAIMOS was yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
The reported death toll, alleged amputation and circumstances surrounding the chief’s whereabouts could not be independently verified.
