The National Security Ministry has dismissed claims of deliberately targeting and killing two persons in the Akan Constituency in the Oti Region.
This follows the death of two footballers in the Yadzo community of the Oti Region on Monday, as they were allegedly being pursued by National Security Operatives while attempting to transport cocoa beans to Togo.
In a statement issued on December 27, the National Security Ministry explained that “the incident leading to the death of the two persons was purely accidental and not borne out of a targeted operation” as accounted by the MP for the area.
While expressing their condolences to the bereaved families, they also urged the public to disregard the factual inaccuracies aimed at courting disaffection for the anti-cocoa smuggling operation in the constituency.
However setting the record straight, the Ministry explained that the facts of the matter are as follows:
1. In October 2023, the Ministry of National Security, in collaboration with COCOBOD, launched an intelligence-led operation along the Eastern Corridor which includes the Akan Constituency, to prevent cocoa smuggling to neighbouring countries. The launch of the intelligence-led operation was informed by a surge in cocoa smuggling activities, leading to a significant reduction in the quantum of cocoa beans sold by farmers to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs). This explains the presence of National Security personnel in the Akan Constituency.
Source: Adomonline