The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has issued an official statement regarding the recent military swoop in Ashaiman and its environs.
The operation was conducted in search of the killers of Trooper Imoro Sherrif, a young soldier who was found dead in Ashaiman-Taifa on March 4, 2023. The GAF refutes claims that the operation was conducted to avenge the killing of the soldier.
In its statement, the GAF explained that the operation was sanctioned by the Military High Command to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime. The military personnel picked up about 184 suspects aged between 21 and 47 years old, and have since handed them over to the Military Police and subsequently to be sent to the Ghana Police Service for screening and for further action.
We're now on WhatsApp. Click here to join.
The operation also led to the seizure of 29 slabs and 57 mini slabs of suspected indian hemp and amnesia among other forms of narcotics. The GAF assured the public that the swoop was not targeted at innocent civilians, but was an intelligence-led operation conducted on suspected hideouts of criminals and crime-prone areas in the general area.
While the GAF acknowledges that some innocent persons might have been caught up in the operation and consequently suffered some distress, it urged the general public to provide useful information and support the security agencies in weeding out criminals and miscreants from our communities.
The GAF also urged the public to desist from shielding and conniving with such suspects in order to curb criminal activities.
The GAF’s statement is an important reminder that the military’s role in maintaining law and order is to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, not to seek revenge or take unilateral action.
While the killing of a soldier is a serious offense that demands justice, the GAF has shown its commitment to following due process in its efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime.
The seizure of narcotics during the operation also underscores the need for all stakeholders to work together to address the drug menace in our communities.
Drug abuse and trafficking have a negative impact on our youth and undermine efforts to build a healthy and productive society.
In conclusion, the GAF’s official statement on the Ashaiman swoop sends a clear message to all Ghanaians that the military’s role in maintaining law and order is guided by the principles of justice, due process, and respect for the rights of all citizens.
It is now up to all stakeholders to work together to support the security agencies in their efforts to weed out criminals and miscreants from our communities and to create a safer and more secure Ghana for all.
