Businessman alleges soldiers stole GH¢35,000 from his shop

Chief Malinaa, a prominent businessman at Walewale, has strong accusation against military officers in West Mamprusi.

He alleged, without evidence, that during a military crackdown exercise on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, military personnel stole GH¢35,000 from his shop, where he sells building materials.

He made this revelation in a press conference organised by the chiefs, assembly persons, the youth, and opinion leaders at West Mamprusi Municipality regarding the military brutality and the imposition of the curfew.

The incident allegedly occurred after the military officers ordered Chief Malinaa to close his shop without providing a reason. Upon complying, he said he was hit with a stick and other hard objects by one of the military men.

This accusation comes amid rising tensions and allegations of military brutalities in the region, which have resulted in the death of one person from Loagri, during another crackdown on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Another person was also shot and killed by the police reinforcement team (FPU) at the Walewale Chief Palace on Saturday (15 February 2025).

Chief Malinaa is urging the government to listen to the residents and act immediately to ensure peace prevails in the region.

The businessman, recounting the ordeal, said, "The soldiers in Walewale are now armed robbers. They came to my shop and took away Ghc35,000. We were even offloading some of the materials that were transported from Kumasi.

"They asked me to close my shop, but they started beating me at the time that I was about to lock the shop. They are not here to bring peace but cause harm to us."

Several of the residents, including the assemblyman for the Wulugu Electoral Area, Sunkura Musah Razak, also lamented that the military invaded Wulugu and brutalised the civilians on Friday (February 14, 2025), and went away with their monies.

The residents of West Mamprusi are demanding accountability, justice, and the withdrawal of military personnel from the area. They claim that the military men are not professional enough to handle complex situations, leading to brutalities.