A viral social media video showing the alleged commercial removal of white sand from the Accra–Kumasi Expressway project corridor has triggered a National Security operation in the Ashanti Region, resulting in the arrest of 15 suspects.
The operation was carried out in the Sewua–Donyina–Appiadu enclave, where security personnel also seized six trucks, a wheel loader and other equipment allegedly being used to excavate and transport sand from the project area.
The suspects have been transported to Accra for further questioning, while efforts are continuing to identify and arrest other individuals believed to be connected to the activity.
Viral Footage Prompts Security Action
The security intervention followed the circulation of footage reportedly showing individuals excavating white sand from the expressway corridor and transporting it for commercial purposes.
The video generated concern about the possible destruction of land reserved for the road project and the environmental consequences of continued unauthorized excavation in the area.
National Security officers subsequently moved into the enclave and carried out a swoop that led to the arrests and seizure of the machinery.
Graphic Online reported that six tipper trucks, a wheel loader and other machines were impounded during the operation.
Suspects Taken to Accra
The 15 suspects are expected to assist investigators in establishing how the sand-winning operation was organized, how long it had continued and whether the individuals had any lawful authority to excavate within the project area.
Investigators are also expected to examine the ownership of the seized trucks and machinery and identify the intended destination of the excavated sand.
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An Assistant Liaison Officer, Ivan Bilson Yeboah, said the suspects had been sent to the National Security headquarters in Accra for further investigations.
No formal charges had been publicly announced at the time of reporting. The individuals therefore remain suspects while investigations continue.
Other Suspects Being Tracked
National Security officials have indicated that some individuals believed to be connected to the operation remain at large.
Efforts are underway to locate those persons and determine whether the activity involved a wider commercial network operating along the expressway corridor.
Investigators may also seek to establish whether any individuals outside the excavation site financed, authorized or benefited from the removal of the sand.
The continuing search suggests the security operation has moved beyond the individuals found at the site and is examining the broader circumstances surrounding the activity.
Assembly Responds to Alleged Land Handover
Bosomtwe District Chief Executive Ing. Abdullah Hamidu confirmed the arrests and rejected suggestions that the District Assembly had been unaware of the sand-winning activities.
He said the Assembly had received information that an opinion leader at Sewua-Ayoum had handed over the land to the individuals involved.
A separate account reported that those involved claimed to have obtained authorization from the Ejisu Municipal Assembly but could not produce a copy of the alleged permit when requested.
The differing accounts are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation into whether the operation had any valid permit and who granted access to the land.
Emergency Meeting Held
Following the arrests, the Bosomtwe District Assembly convened an emergency meeting involving chiefs and Assembly Members from the affected communities.
The discussions focused on preventing further excavation, protecting the expressway project area and reducing additional environmental damage.
Traditional leaders and local representatives are expected to support surveillance by reporting the movement of heavy machinery and suspected sand-winning operations within the enclave.
The engagement is also expected to clarify the responsibilities of local authorities, landowners, opinion leaders and public institutions where land has been reserved for a national infrastructure project.
Expressway Corridor at Risk
Unauthorized excavation within a road corridor can alter the condition of the land, create deep pits and increase the risk of erosion.
It may also affect the project’s right of way and create additional engineering or restoration work before construction can proceed.
National Security officials said considerable damage had already been caused to the affected area and described the alleged commercial removal of sand from the project site as unacceptable.
A technical assessment may be required to determine the full extent of the damage and whether remedial work will be needed.
Surveillance to Be Intensified
The Ashanti Regional Security Council is expected to consider measures for maintaining stronger surveillance along the expressway stretch.
The proposed response may involve closer coordination among National Security, the District Assembly, traditional authorities, Assembly Members and communities situated along the corridor.
Mr Yeboah said REGSEC would examine how patrols and monitoring could be sustained to prevent a recurrence of the activity.
Authorities say protecting the project corridor will remain a priority as investigations continue and security agencies pursue the remaining suspects.
