20 self-styled National Security operatives have been remanded awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in illegal mining in the Eastern Region.

The suspects were arrested in the Atewa Forest by the youth of Akyem Akenteng in the West Akyem municipality.

The purported operatives were transferred from Koforidua to Accra for further interrogations.

Investigations conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau revealed that the suspects are not staff or operatives of the National Security Ministry.

A statement, which was issued by the Ministry of Information on behalf of the National Security Ministry, said the persons arrested named a contract staff of the National Security Ministry as the one who engaged them for the said activity.

“Upon completion of preliminary interrogation, both the arrested persons and their said contractor have all been remanded and are due to be arraigned before court.”

A statement from the Information Ministry cautioned against perpetrating crimes under the guise of National Security.

As part of recent efforts by the government to fight against illegal mining, it has deployed military personnel to flush out illegal miners destroying water bodies in the country.

The government recently renewed its commitment to fight illegal mining at the consultative dialogue, where stakeholders charged the government to take steps to strictly apply the country’s mining laws.


Source: citifmonline.com