Illegal miners now operate at night to avoid being caught by the forces of Operation Halt.
Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwil, who disclosed this at a media briefing in Accra on the activities of Operation Halt, said the illegal miners operate between 9:00 pm and stop at dawn around 4:00 am not to draw the attention of their nefarious activity which is destroying the environment.
He hinted that this intelligence was picked from reliable sources and Operation Halt has swiftly adjusted its strategies to nip this night nefarious business of the illegal miners in the bud.
He, therefore, advised the unpatriotic miners who operate in the night to desist from such activity else Operation Halt would deal with them ruthlessly because their action has devastating effects on the environment.
“We know and we know the towns that you are doing it in so we will come after you,” he added.
He said the safety of these night illegal miners could not be guaranteed if they are caught by the soldiers manning Operation Halt in the bush at night, therefore, it was instructive that they stop their activity before they find themselves at the wrong side of the soldiers.
“In the night for the safety of the soldiers, I cannot guarantee your safety. No soldier will go out in the night without trying to protect himself or herself first. So I will advise you not to mine illegally at night,” he warned the miners.
Constance Evans-Kekrebesi, ISD
