The security agencies have debunked media reports claiming that some 48 terrorists arrested in the country last year are nowhere to be found.
The state-owned Ghanaian Times newspaper reported that there was a trade of blame game between two security institutions – the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration Service – about the whereabouts of these 48 suspected terrorists.
But in a joint statement on Thursday, the two security agencies have vehemently debunked the story tagging the suspects as terrorists.
“We wish to state categorically that the said publication is false and should be disregarded,” the statement signed by heads of the two institutions said.
It added, “No supposed terrorists have been arrested by the Police and the Ghana Immigration Service, and there is certainly no blame game going on between the two state security agencies as is being falsely claimed by the Ghanaian Times Newspaper.”
Though it admitted arresting some 48 foreigners engaging in illegal network marketing, they have since being repatriated to their various countries.
Read the joint statement below
GHANA POLICE SERVICE AND GHANA IMMIGRATION SERVICE REFUTE GHANAIAN TIMES PUBLICATION ON THE WHEREABOUTS OF SOME 48 ALLEGED TERRORISTS
1. The attention of the Police Service and Immigration Service has been drawn to a publication by the Ghanaian Times Newspaper – on the front page and page 12 – of Thursday, January 5, 2023, which story has also since then been carried by other media houses alleging that there is a blame game between the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration Service over the whereabouts of some 48 alleged terrorists.
2. We wish to state categorically that the said publication is false and should be disregarded. No supposed terrorists have been arrested by the Police and the Ghana Immigration Service, and there is certainly no blame game going on between the two state security agencies as is being falsely claimed by the Ghanaian Times Newspaper.
3. We would like to put on record, for the avoidance of any doubt, that some 48 foreign nationals were arrested by the police and the Immigration in two separate operations at Ekyem, Achiase and Akokoamong near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region in September, 2022 for engaging in illegal Network Marketing (QNET).
4. All 48 suspects were profiled in line with standard operating procedures of our two institutions and were repatriated to their various home countries between September 26th and September 29, 2022.
5. We would like to urge the public, especially the media, to be circumspect in their use of the term “terrorists” and avoid using the word loosely and irresponsibly, and thus create unwarranted fear and panic in a peaceful society such as ours.
6. Our two state security institutions continue to collaborate and partner with each other in the discharge of our respective mandates for the good of our beloved country.