Iddrisu Zakari, popularly known as Yaayaa
On Monday, November 10, 2025, at about 6:06 p.m., operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Squad (NAIMOS) arrested Iddrisu Zakari, popularly known as Yaayaa, a notorious galamsey kingpin involved in illegal mining activities within the Osino Residential Area.
Zakari was apprehended at Bonsu after agreeing to meet NAIMOS operatives to negotiate the release of his arrested thugs and to discuss a possible halt to the ongoing investigations into his operations.
It will be recalled that NAIMOS recently carried out a raid on Zakari’s galamsey site on the night of Friday, November 7, 2025, during which 32 Nigerien nationals and four Ghanaian machete-wielding guards were arrested.
Ghana Gold Board, National Security apprehend 25 in anti-gold smuggling operation
Iddrisu Zakari has since been handed over to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations.
Watch the promo to GhanaWeb’s latest documentary, which uncovers the evolution of ‘kayamata,’ an exploitative practice fueled by love charms and manipulation, titled, “The Dark Side of Kayamata,’ below:
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