Five arrested for allegedly smuggling arms

Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has arrested five people, two Nigerians and three Ghanaians in Accra for allegedly attempting to smuggle quantities of arms and ammunition to Nigeria.

The suspects are Kwesi Asamoah 29, Kofi Aboagye 52, Kojo Baffour,38, all Ghanaians ,Sunday Eze and Taiwo Samuel, both 35 years Nigerians.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Rose Atinga Bio, Greater Accra Regional Police Commander confirmed the arrest and said the ammunition included pump action guns, double barreled guns and a huge amount of cartridges.

She noted that driver of the truck, Taiwo Samuel was arrested in 2009 for committing a similar offence but was discharged after a court trial.

DCOP Atinga Bio said investigation was on-going to unveil the actual destination of the ammunition in Nigerian, and whether they were on transit from Ghana, adding that the suspects would be prosecuted soon.

Mr Musiliu O. Obanikoro, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana said the issue was of great concern to both countries since Nigeria and Ghana depended on each other for stability.

He expressed confidence in the Police, and hoped the suspects would lead the investigation team to get to the root of the matter.

“The issue is an indication that the security agencies across the continent have a lot on their hands, and government needs to empower them to perform better,” he added.