Ghana Police Service Rescues Assin Wurakese Chief from Alleged Abduction
By: Isaac Boamah Darko
The Central North Regional Police Command successfully located and rescued Nana Professor Okogyeaman Ameyaw Dankwa Okokroko II, the Chief of Assin Wurakese, following reports of his alleged abduction by four masked men dressed in military camouflage on Tuesday, August 19.
The Incident
The chief was taken from his residence at Assin Nkukuasa around 5:30 a.m. by the unidentified men, sparking widespread panic among residents. The police command promptly deployed a team to the scene, activating intelligence units, mobilizing patrol teams, and issuing alerts to all checkpoints across the Central and Eastern Regions.
Rescue Operation
The operation led to the interception of a Mitsubishi pickup truck with registration number GN-833-24 in Asamankese at approximately 9:05 a.m., with the chief and four others onboard. The chief and the four individuals were subsequently detained at Asamankese under the orders of DCOP Abraham Acquaye, the Central North Regional Police commander.
Clarification and Concerns
At a press briefing on Wednesday, August 20, DCOP Acquaye revealed that the men accompanying the chief were operatives from the National Security Secretariat, tasked with assisting in an ongoing national security investigation. The chief was handed over to a formal national security team around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, following a request by the police. While the police urged the public to remain calm, some community members expressed concerns over the manner in which the National Security officials carried out the arrest, describing it as aggressive and unprofessional ¹.
Assurance of Professional Handling
DCOP Acquaye assured residents that the matter is being handled professionally in the interest of public safety and national security. The Ghana Police Service’s prompt response and successful rescue operation have brought relief to the community, although concerns about the handling of the situation by National Security officials remain.