Five individuals impersonating National Security agents have been apprehended by law enforcement in the Western North Region due to their suspected involvement in a conspiracy to commit crimes, vandalism, and theft at a mining location.
During a press briefing held at the regional police headquarters in Sefwi-Wiawso, the Regional Commander, DCOP Dr. Francis Kwame Tsidi, announced that the suspects were detained on April 2, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., following intelligence reports.
He indicated that the group, attired in National Security uniforms, had been traversing communities near Suiaboi, including mining areas, where they demanded documentation from miners and confiscated items under the pretense of performing official duties.
Their conduct aroused suspicion among local residents, some of whom confronted them, while others followed the group to Dadieso.
Acting promptly on the intelligence, the police intercepted and arrested the suspects.
The individuals have been identified as Amponsah Asare Wagan, 33; Nelson Agbodzah, 28; Awedagah Norbert, 27; Francis Brefo, 35; and Benjamin Boakye, 48, who was driving a Toyota Hilux vehicle with registration number GX 1095-19.
They were later taken to the Dadieso Police Station for further investigation.
During questioning, some of the suspects claimed to be connected to government agencies. Amponsah Asare Wagan allegedly claimed to be a medical doctor, the son of a security chief, and a branch communicator for the NDC in Kwadaso.
Others, such as Nelson Agbodzah and Awedagah Norbert, asserted ties to National Security operations at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and the NADMO office in Nhyeaso. Francis Brefo also claimed to be affiliated with National Security.
Nevertheless, initial investigations by the police have disproven these assertions, indicating that at least two of the suspects, Amponsah Asare Wagan and Francis Brefo, are unemployed and have no connections to National Security.
Police investigations further suggest that the operation was planned in advance.
Amponsah Asare Wagan is reported to have gathered the group in Kumasi under the guise of collecting intelligence at Bibiani, but subsequently redirected them to a mining location at Suiaboi in the Dadieso region.
At the location, the suspects purportedly damaged mining equipment, looted rooms belonging to employees, and stole mobile phones along with a sum of GH¢2,000.00.
A search carried out on the vehicle, which was rented from a company based in Kumasi, LEASAFRIC, resulted in the recovery of numerous items, including two car batteries, three water pumping machines, a starter, a hose, a metal object believed to be part of an excavator, five mobile phones, a set of keys, a live AA cartridge, and a pair of military camouflage trousers.
Authorities state that Amponsah Asare Wagan has admitted to planning the operation, asserting that he was hired by a former employee of the mining site, known only as Yaw, who allegedly aimed to reveal the actions of his previous employer.
Officials have since acquired documentation from the car rental service to aid in the investigation.
The suspects are anticipated to be brought before the court once the investigations are completed.
Police have reassured the public of their dedication to addressing the issue of individuals impersonating security personnel to commit offenses and have encouraged citizens to stay alert and report any suspicious behavior.
