The Savannah Regional Police Intelligence Department has arrested twenty-two Togolese nationals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, within the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region. The arrest forms part of intensified security operations aimed at clamping down on illegal mining and related transnational crimes in the region.
The suspects were arrested on January 23 during a targeted intelligence-led operation conducted by a team of police officers. According to preliminary police reports, the operation was triggered by credible intelligence indicating the movement of foreign nationals into known illegal mining zones within the municipality.
The suspects were intercepted while travelling in a Kia truck with registration number BA 223-12, which was being driven by Abdul Majeed Yakubu, a Ghanaian national. The vehicle was stopped at a security checkpoint during routine patrols and surveillance operations along routes leading to communities identified as illegal mining hotspots.
Upon interception, police officers conducted a search and preliminary interrogation of the occupants. Initial investigations revealed that all twenty-two passengers in the vehicle are nationals of the Republic of Togo. The suspects reportedly admitted during questioning that they were en route to Tuntumba, a community within the West Gonja Municipality widely known for persistent illegal mining activities.
Police sources indicate that the suspects intended to engage in galamsey operations upon arrival at their destination. Tuntumba and its surrounding areas have in recent years attracted both local and foreign illegal miners due to the presence of gold deposits, despite repeated enforcement efforts by state authorities.
Illegal mining has become a major environmental and security concern in the Savannah Region and other parts of Ghana. The activity often leads to the destruction of farmlands, pollution of water bodies, deforestation, and land degradation, thereby threatening the livelihoods of farming communities and the sustainability of local ecosystems. In addition, the involvement of foreign nationals in galamsey has raised concerns about border security, immigration control, and organized criminal networks operating across national boundaries.
The Savannah Regional Police Command has, in collaboration with other security agencies, stepped up intelligence gathering and patrols in recent months to curb the rising incidence of illegal mining. The arrest of the twenty-two Togolese nationals is seen as a significant outcome of these intensified efforts.
Following their arrest, the suspects were transported to a police facility within the region, where they are currently being held in custody to assist with further investigations. Police officials have confirmed that the suspects will be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to undergo the necessary immigration screening and legal processes.
The involvement of the Ghana Immigration Service is expected to determine the immigration status of the suspects, including whether they entered the country legally and complied with the terms of their stay. If found to be in violation of Ghana’s immigration laws, the suspects may face sanctions, including prosecution, fines, or repatriation to their home country.
The driver of the vehicle, Abdul Majeed Yakubu, is also assisting police with investigations. Authorities are seeking to establish his role in the transportation of the suspects, including whether he was aware of their intentions and whether he is linked to any illegal mining syndicates operating in the area.
Security analysts note that illegal mining operations often rely on organized networks that facilitate the movement of miners, equipment, food supplies, and fuel into remote mining communities. These networks sometimes involve local collaborators who provide logistics, accommodation, and protection in exchange for financial gain.
The West Gonja Municipality has long been identified as one of the areas affected by illegal mining in the Savannah Region. Despite repeated warnings and enforcement actions by state agencies, illegal miners continue to operate in forest reserves and along riverbanks, posing a serious threat to the environment and public safety.
Local residents have frequently expressed concern about the impact of galamsey on their communities, citing polluted water sources, abandoned mining pits, and increased social vices. Community leaders have called for sustained security presence and stronger collaboration between traditional authorities, local government, and security agencies to address the problem.
The Savannah Regional Police Command has reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, property, and natural resources within the region. Police officials have warned both citizens and foreign nationals against engaging in illegal mining activities, emphasizing that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Authorities have also urged the public to support security efforts by providing timely information on suspicious movements and activities related to illegal mining. According to the police, community cooperation remains a critical component in the fight against galamsey, particularly in remote and hard-to-access areas.
As investigations continue, the outcome of the case is expected to send a strong signal to individuals and groups involved in illegal mining operations, especially those crossing national borders to exploit Ghana’s natural resources unlawfully.
The suspects are expected to be processed by the appropriate state institutions in the coming days, while security agencies maintain heightened surveillance across known illegal mining corridors within the Savannah Region.
