National Security Ministry denies its operatives deliberately killed two footballers in Oti Region

The National Security Ministry has refuted claims of intentionally targeting and killing two individuals in the Akan Constituency of the Oti Region.

The statement comes in response to the deaths of two footballers in the Yadzo community, who were allegedly being pursued by National Security Operatives while transporting cocoa beans to Togo.

In a statement issued on December 27, the Ministry clarified that the incident leading to the deaths was accidental and not part of a targeted operation, as suggested by the Member of Parliament for the area.

The Ministry expressed condolences to the bereaved families and urged the public to disregard factual inaccuracies aimed at creating disaffection for the anti-cocoa smuggling operation in the constituency.

The Ministry outlined the following facts:

1. In October 2023, the Ministry of National Security, in collaboration with COCOBOD, launched an intelligence-led operation along the Eastern Corridor, including the Akan Constituency, to prevent cocoa smuggling to neighbouring countries. The operation was in response to a surge in cocoa smuggling activities, impacting the quantity of cocoa sold to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs).
2. The anti-cocoa smuggling operations have been successful, with several individuals involved in smuggling activities arrested. Seized cocoa beans have been submitted as evidence for the prosecution of those arrested. The operations have led to increased cocoa sales to LBCs.
3. On December 25, 2023, a vehicle from the anti-cocoa smuggling operations collided head-on with a motorcycle carrying two individuals, resulting in their deaths.
4. Following the accident, the Ghana Police Service arrived to conduct investigations. However, some aggrieved individuals in the Akan Constituency, believing the deaths were intentional, vandalized and set ablaze the vehicle involved.

The Ministry emphasized the accidental nature of the incident and called for an accurate understanding of the circumstances.

Yaw Opoku Amoako

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