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National Security needs a shake-up – Peter Toobu

Social News National Security needs a shake-up – Peter Toobu
MAY 23, 2021 LISTEN

A former Executive Secretary to the past Inspector General of Police (IGP), Peter Lanchene Toobu has called for reforms in the country’s National Security.

His call follows the arrest and assault on Citi News' journalist, Caleb Kudah, and the subsequent invasion of the premises of Citi TV/Citi FM by National Security operatives.

Mr. Toobu on Citi TV/FM's The Big Issue decried the lack of professionalism from the National Security operatives, saying some of them had been involved in activities that had caused insecurity in the country.

“If you are looking at National Security, in fact, they are supposed to be silent but when you see security apparatus or security operatives causing insecurity in the system, it becomes a contradiction. Security operatives, causing insecurity is a big contradiction. But that is where we find ourselves and I think it is time for us to bite the bullet and shake up the old remnants of security.”

Aside from the invasion of Citi TV/FM, and the attack on Caleb, National Security operatives have been implicated in other attacks, including one involving Sam George, who was attacked by National Security operatives during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election as well as the forceful removal of the Ashanti Regional National Security Coordinator from office.

Mr. Toobu believes these attacks will cease if reforms that meet international standards are introduced in the Ministry.

“We are working in tandem with other networks to ensure we find favour with the world to remain peaceful and develop. It is time to look at National Security as a whole. The National Security structure must resonate with the globe,” he said.

Citi FM/TV's Caleb Kudah was arrested at the National Security Ministry on May 11, 2021, for filming abandoned MASLOC vehicles parked at the premises of the Ministry.

He was at the Ministry to verify a claim by an official of MASLOC that all the cars procured by the agency had been given out.

A team of heavily-armed SWAT police officers subsequently were dispatched to arrest Citi News' Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo, at the premises of Citi FM/Citi TV because she had received some files from Mr. Kudah via WhatsApp.

Mr. Caleb Kudah in an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point Of View on Citi TV indicated that he was slapped several times by the security officers.

The Ministry of National Security has already withdrawn its Director of Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman, and three other police officers attached to the outfit over the attack.

While Lt. Col. Agyeman is to report to the Chief of Defence for further probe and appropriate sanctions, the three officers are to be investigated by the Ghana Police Service and possibly face disciplinary action.

—Citinewsroom

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