Wassa Akropong: 3 Soldiers Under Operation Vanguard Arrested For Extortion

It has emerged that three soldiers on duty with Operation Vanguard have been arrested in Wassa Akropong of the Western Region after they attempted to extort monies from some Chinese illegal miners.

It was discovered through interrogation that they possessed weapons and Operation Vanguard shirts.

Reports say the three soldiers together with some alleged accomplices on Wednesday night tried to extort money from some illegal miners in the Wassa Akropong general area.

Operation Vanguard is the anti-illegal mining task force of government tasked to crack down on illegal mining popularly known as Galamsey.

The incident has further been confirmed by the Ghana Armed Forces in a statement issued through its Public Relations Director, Colonel E. Aggrey-Quashie.

According to the statement, the Military has accordingly suspended the soldiers from their duties with Operation Vanguard and placed them under close arrest at the 2nd Battalion Infantry in Takoradi.

The military high command has assured that detailed investigations are being conducted into the case and stern disciplinary action would be taken against the soldiers if found culpable.

Following this development, residents of Wassa Akropong, who spoke to this reporter are fully convinced that some of these officials of the Operation Vanguard squad may be deeply rooted in this Galamsey chess.

Below is the Full statement from The Ghana Armed Forces

SOLDIERS PLACED UNDER CLOSE ARREST FOR ILLEGAL OPERATIONS

The attention of the Military High Command has been drawn to the involvement of some soldiers in illegal operations whilst on duty with Operation Vanguard.

The report has it that the soldiers numbering three with some alleged accomplices tried to extort money from some illegal miners in the Wassa Akropong general area.

The Military High Command frowns upon such misconduct by troops and has accordingly suspended the soldiers from their duties with Operation Vanguard and placed them under close arrest at the 2nd Battalion Infantry in Takoradi.

Detailed investigations are being conducted into the case and stern disciplinary action would be taken against them if found culpable.

The Military high command wishes to assure the General Public that under no circumstance will it condone unprofessional conduct by any member of the Ghana Armed Forces.

In the meantime, Personnel on Operation Vanguard would continue to perform their assigned tasks to ensure that the Mandate is achieved.

Signed
E. AGGREY-QUASHIE
Colonel
PUBLIC RELATIONS