Police Stop Buses Transporting 160 Thugs to Juaboso in Election 2024

Two Metro Mass Transit buses carrying 160 people suspected of being thugs were stopped at the Benchemah barrier in the Wiawso Municipal area of the Western North Region by the Western North Divisional Police Command at Sefwi Wiawso in a major pre-election intervention.

Following a tip-off, the buses—registered GN 5148-22 and GN 5177-22—were halted on Tuesday while traveling from Takoradi to Juaboso. Authorities moved quickly, seizing the cars at the Sefwi Wiawso Regional Police Command and apprehending the drivers and passengers, whose identities have not been made public.

Speaking to media at the Regional Police Command, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the member of parliament and NDC's parliamentary candidate for Juaboso, urged Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akuffu Dampare to make sure that comprehensive investigations are carried out. He hinted at possible disturbance by saying, "We shall see if these thugs are released and find themselves in Juaboso Constituency."

Police sources have stated that the people who were arrested have given cautionary statements while the inquiry is ongoing. Authorities are also searching for a third bus that they think has additional thugs.

Tensions are increasing in Juaboso, where the NDC is predicted to win, as Ghana prepares for election day on December 7. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), according to observers, seems to be using extreme tactics to sow discord before the elections. As police strive to guarantee a peaceful election process, the situation is still uncertain.