The National Security Ministry has refuted allegations of intentionally targeting and causing the death of two individuals in the Akan Constituency of the Oti Region. The incident occurred on Monday in the Yadzo community, where two footballers lost their lives while allegedly being pursued by National Security Operatives during an attempt to transport cocoa beans to Togo.
In a statement issued on December 27, the National Security Ministry clarified that the deaths were not the result of a deliberate operation but rather an unfortunate accident. The ministry expressed condolences to the bereaved families and urged the public to disregard any inaccuracies aimed at stirring discontent towards the anti-cocoa smuggling operation in the constituency.
The Ministry provided the following facts to set the record straight:
- In October 2023, the Ministry of National Security, in collaboration with COCOBOD, initiated an intelligence-led operation along the Eastern Corridor, encompassing the Akan Constituency, to curb cocoa smuggling to neighboring countries. This operation was in response to a surge in cocoa smuggling activities, leading to a significant reduction in cocoa beans sold to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) by farmers in the area.
- The anti-cocoa smuggling operations have been successful, resulting in the arrest of several individuals engaged in smuggling activities. A substantial amount of seized cocoa beans has been submitted as evidence for the prosecution of those arrested. Notably, the LBCs have observed an increase in the quantity of cocoa sold to them by farmers due to the intelligence-led operations.
- Unfortunately, on December 25, 2023, a vehicle from the anti-cocoa smuggling operations team was involved in an accident, colliding head-on with a motorcycle carrying two individuals. This tragic incident claimed the lives of the two persons on the motorcycle.
- Following the accident, the Ghana Police Service promptly arrived at the scene to initiate comprehensive investigations. However, some aggrieved individuals in the Akan Constituency, influenced by a misconception that the deceased were intentionally targeted, vandalized the vehicle and set it on fire.
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