The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says the circulation of stories alleging that some three soldiers have been caught in robbery operation is entirely false and a misleading.
The GAF explained that the Police Service has not made any arrest to that effect.
Though images of some three soldiers were portrayed alongside the unfortunate story, the GAF indicated in a statement on Thursday June 16, the allegation of robbery has not been established against the 3. It is therefore inappropriate for some houses to capture the story with their pictures to have been put in the public domain.
“It must be placed on record that following a complaint made by a Nigerian national and also based on a request by the Amasaman Police, GAF, through a picture, was able to identify one soldier and subsequently two colleagues who happened to be at Amasaman on the said date. They were invited by the Military Police on Friday 10 June 2022, to assist in investigations into an initial claim of seizure of phones, extortion and forced entry into a premise at Nsakina.
“Based on this, the Military Police and Civil Police commenced joint investigation into the allegations. It is in view of this that the Military Police escorted the three soldiers to the Amasaman Police Station where they were compelled to avail themselves for their photographs to be taken as part of a routine investigation process. However these pictures have been released to The Chronicle and into the public domain alleging they were engaged in robbery when that fact has not been established.
“From preliminary checks by the Military Police, the soldiers, one of whom has relatives in the area prone to robbers, claimed they monitored suspicious movements in a particular house while on a visit. They proceeded to the house and were ushered in willingly by an occupant. Upon entry, they noticed some Nigerians busily working on laptops. The leader of the group denied involvement in cyber fraud or any criminal activity but expressed readiness to report any such acts to the security services and therefore requested for the mobile number of one of the soldiers.
“The allegation that the soldiers scaled a wall to seize mobile phones made by the Nigerian and as to whether the soldiers really extorted monies have been refuted by the soldiers. Nonetheless these allegations are being jointly investigated by the Military Police and the Civil Police and the truth yet to be ascertained. It is therefore unclear the motive of the haste in releasing such information
with pictures into the public domain, on a yet to be determined matter.
“The Ghana Armed Forces reiterates that it does not condone any such acts and wishes to assure the public that it will not shield any soldier engaged in any criminal activity. However it is prudent that the media and other stakeholders follow due process for the veracity of claims to be made to ensure accurate information is published.
“GAF therefore wishes to urge The Chronicle and other media partners that its doors are open for the necessary clarification to ensure a balanced reportage at all times.”