A government-backed operation to clamp down on illegal mining, or “galamsey,” turned into a tense hostage situation on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, when the Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force came under armed attack in Bonteso, Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.

The violent confrontation left two police officers injured and resulted in the arrest of four men, including the elected assembly member for the area.

According to the Manso Adubia Special Anti-Galamsey Operations Team, the clash began at approximately 11:30 a.m. when officers on routine patrol discovered an excavator actively engaged in illegal mining within a deep pit, causing what they described as “severe environmental destruction.”

The team, led by DSP Karim Mahama and ASP Bawah Abdul Jalil, moved in to seize the equipment.

As the excavator was being loaded onto a truck for transport, a group of illegal miners quickly mobilised, allegedly at the urging of Assembly Member Patrick Asare.

Eyewitnesses say the assemblyman was seen openly inciting the crowd to resist the seizure, hurling threats and promising bloodshed if the machine was taken away.

The miners began pelting the officers with stones and other objects, escalating tensions.

Matters took a deadly turn when two men in the group reportedly fired shotguns towards the officers.

The attack left ASP Abdul Jalil with head and mouth injuries, while G/Sgt. Agblekpe Mawuena Yao sustained leg wounds.

The miners then blocked all exit routes from the site, effectively holding the task force hostage.

Police officials say the blockade was reinforced by armed men, and when the officers attempted to break free, they came under live fire.

The task force responded with what they termed “appropriate force” to neutralise the armed threat and regain control of the scene.

In the chaos, four men — identified as Akwesi Amponsah, Osei Vasco, Patrick Asare, and Owusu Alexander — were arrested. One excavator was successfully impounded and taken to the Manso Adubia Police Station, but a second machine had to be abandoned due to the high risk of renewed gunfire.

The incident, which follows years of deadly confrontations between security forces and illegal miners across the country, highlights the entrenched nature of the galamsey crisis.

The practice, while providing income for many locals, has caused devastating damage to forests, rivers, and farmlands, and remains a major political and security challenge.

Police say all four suspects will be transferred to Accra for further investigation and prosecution.