A combined team of the Forestry Commission‘s (FC) Rapid Response Unit (RRU) and 30 military personnel has seized nine excavators, one bulldozer, and arrested four individuals during an operation in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve within the Enchi Forest District of the Western North Region. The operation took place on Sunday, 9th March 2025, targeting illegal mining activities within Compartments 17 and 20 of the reserve.
Series of Operations Leading to the Seizure
Prior to this latest raid, the FC’s Forest Services Division (FSD) operational team, along with the RRU, had conducted multiple operations in the reserve:
• Tuesday, 4th March 2025: Acting on a tip-off, the team drove out 12 excavators from the forest but was unable to make arrests due to being outnumbered by armed illegal miners.
• Thursday, 6th March 2025: Intelligence reports indicated that the illegal miners were planning to re-enter the forest, prompting the FC team to return and prevent their re-entry.
• Saturday, 8th March 2025: Another tip-off confirmed that the miners had returned. However, when the team attempted to arrest the suspects, they were once again outnumbered and met with armed resistance.
• This renewed invasion gained widespread attention on social media, prompting authorities to intensify efforts.
Joint Operation and Arrests
Following the escalation, the military-assisted team was deployed on Sunday, successfully seizing 10 heavy-duty machines and arresting four individuals. The seized equipment has been transported to the Enchi District Assembly premises for safekeeping.
A formal complaint has been lodged with the Enchi District Police Command to facilitate further investigations and legal action against those involved.
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