3 Dead, 13 Injured in Bloody Clash Between NAIMOS Soldiers and Illegal Miners at Manso Keniago

At least three people have died and 13 severely injured during an altercation between security forces from the National Anti Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and local residents in Manso Keniago in the Ashanti Region. The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 in the Amansie South District. Initial reports from locals said three people died and over a dozen were injured but the community have been left in turmoil after claiming more people have died as those critically injured fight for their lives.

NAIMOS said in a press release that the incident happened during an operation conducted by their task force targeting illegal mining activity in the Manso area for a week. During the operation several large excavators and illegal changfan machines were seized. A scuffle ensued when the military backed task force tried to remove the heavy vehicles from the area.

They said their officers became trapped as a large group of locals blocked their path and refused to allow them to legally remove equipment. Security personnel first fired warning shots to try and disperse the crowd however they said the crowd became increasingly hostile and forced them to open fire.

Two of their security personnel were shot in the crossfire and were taken to hospital for treatment. NAIMOS spokespeople said they were unfortunate casualties of the situation after staff opened fire to protect themselves. They added that they were following protocol.

However, local leaders and witnesses in Manso Keniago say that the task force went on a rampage. The Chief of Manso Keniago, Nana Obin Mensa Abu said "We would like to see evidence from NAIMOS to show that we attacked the soldiers," he said that the conflict began after traditional leaders tried to stop the task force from dragging a tracked excavator over a newly tarmacked road in the area.

Local leaders are claiming that instead of negotiating the security personnel opened fire. Nana Obin Mensa Abu said several of the deceased were not involved in the protest. He said they were shot as they were inside their homes. Locals have shared CCTV footage from nearby buildings to prove their claims.

On Thursday and Friday the streets of Manso Keniago were filled with anger, sadness and tension. Hundreds of angry youths and grieving families dressed in traditional black and red clothing took to the streets. They demanded an independent investigation into the military's use of lethal force and called for those responsible to be prosecuted.

The incident has sparked heated debate into the aggressive approach being taken by the military during Ghana's crackdown on illegal small scale mining (galamsey). Whilst environmentalists insist action must be taken to save the polluted waterways and forests, human rights activists have consistently expressed concerns about sending armed soldiers into communities. Frequently tension arises over the seized excavators resulting in violent reactions.

Security councils in the region have moved in to try and calm the situation down. The Ashanti Regional Police Command have also been deployed to stop any retaliation from happening in the Amansie South District. More security personnel have been put on standby in hotspots. Detectives are investigating by collecting evidence, witness statements and video footage. Hospital managers in the area have confirmed that several of those injured are in a critical condition.

Traditional leaders and community groups are calling for full transparency from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Ghana Armed Forces as investigations begin. Locals have also urged the younger generation to stay calm and let the legal process run its course as they are concerned more violence will only make the situation worse. The families of Manso Keniago are focused on getting justice for those who lost their lives.