The Western Central Regional Police Command has announced the arrest of a notorious galamsey kingpin, identified as Kwame Ato, after a violent occurrence in Simpa, Nsuaem District.
The incident took place on September 28, 2025.
A statement issued by the Police on October 2 indicates that they received a distress call regarding an armed confrontation involving two rival factions, with one led by suspect Kwame Ato Asare, while the opposing group from Dadwen was also led by suspects Alhassan and one Abolo.
First-hand information obtained by the police revealed that Kwame Ato received information that his mining equipment had been destroyed by the Dadwen group at a mining site. Ato later tried to confront the group and it turned into a gun battle which later resulted in the death of his brother, Emmanuel Cudjoe.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that suspect Daniel Cudjoe alias Ato Asare, 25 years- old together with his deceased brother Emmanuel Cudjoe 23 years – old and ten others now at large confronted the Dadwen group after receiving information that the Dadwen group led by suspects Alhassan and Abolo had destroyed his mining equipment at a mining site. The confrontation escalated into exchange of gunfire, resulting in the death of Emmanuel Cudioe,” portion of the statement read.
The police have so far retrieved two (2) pump-action guns, three (3) machetes, four (4) motorbikes, one tri-cycle and one (1) regalia from the crime scene.
In assuring the public of maintaining peace and order, the Police Command has emphasized that all persons involved in the violent confrontation will be made to face the law.
