The night was marred by terror as soldiers swarmed the vigilant towns, descending like an impending storm to unleash an unprecedented wave of mayhem and violence.
A military helicopter ominously hovered above, casting an eerie shadow over the terrified residents, while armored tanks loomed menacingly at various strategic points. The chaos unfolded like a dystopian nightmare.
Reports indicate that the rage of the military personnel knew no bounds as they assaulted any man they encountered within the community. The soldiers invaded homes, instructing the women to betray the whereabouts of their husbands. Those who had sensed trouble beforehand managed to escape, fleeing the impending brutality. But for those who were caught at home, they were dragged from the bedrooms, relentlessly beaten, and doused with water intermittently.
The raid commenced in the Tempane Constituency, where the intruders, clad in military gear, forcibly yanked people from their slumber and other engagements of the night. The operations did not spare even those who were reported to have been praying at the mosque at the time.
The ordeal began at the unholy hour of 2 a.m., an ungodly time for such a heinous operation, and continued relentlessly until 6 a.m. The military had specifically targeted the male residents, assaulting any man who crossed their path. It became apparent that they were following some kind of list, as they demanded to know the whereabouts of specific individuals.
Notwithstanding that the majority of the brutalized persons were men, some women and children were also allegedly brutalized.
Reports indicate the operation was highly coordinated, involving a formidable force of over 200 soldiers. They had three armored vehicles, two additional military vehicles, and a black land cruiser, distinguishable by its unique model, exclusively used by the National Security in the whole of Ghana. At one point, a chopper briefly passed through, adding to the residents’ sense of dread.
The scale of brutality was astounding; numerous people suffered severe injuries at the hands of these fully armed military officers. The soldiers employed sticks and, at times, the butt of their weapons to bludgeon their victims mercilessly. Reports further indicate that some of the residents were forced to drink water from gutters.
When the soldiers finally departed, the victims, battered and bruised, were left in desperate need of medical attention. Hence, they were rushed to nearby hospitals. Some of these have been referred to the regional hospital as they need more urgent medical attention.
Shocking reports revealed that around 18 men, including the assembly member who had earlier protected the officers from the angst of the youth, from the community, were forcibly taken away by the army. Subsequent information suggested that eight of them were eventually released, while the rest were transported to the capital, Accra.
The catalyst for this horrifying incident dates back to October 24, 2023, when the town’s vigilant youth noticed a black land cruiser vehicle lurking within their community. The vehicle moved suspiciously without a clear purpose, raising concerns among the residents. The National Security Ministry had advised the community to be alert and report any unusual persons or events, as part of its anti-terrorism campaign with the motto: “See something, say something.”
After closely monitoring the unsettling behavior of the vehicle, the concerned residents decided to approach it to ascertain the identity of its occupants. The officers in the vehicle were reluctant to reveal their identity (of course National Security Personnel hide their identity), prompting the residents to push them to the local police station for further investigation.
It was at the police station that the residents discovered the vehicle’s part, worth around USD 250,000, had been damaged. This discovery, it is believed, triggered the military’s anger and vengeance against the people of Garu and Tempane.
The victims of the brutal assault recounted that the soldiers repeatedly inquired of them about the cost of the vehicle while subjecting them to a savage beating. The unique black V8 vehicle, exclusive to the National Security in Ghana, was eventually towed away after the brutal incident.
Anxiety and fear gripped the youth of the community, forcing many to flee the town in search of refuge in the neighboring villages, away from the looming threat of further violence.
Response To The Event
In response to the crisis, the Paramount Chief of the area, Naaba Abugari, dispatched a delegation to offer comfort and assurance to the traumatized residents, pledging his protection against any future military aggression and donating GHS 10,000 to support the victims.
The National Security Ministry, however, swiftly issued a statement, condemning the vigilant acts of the youth of the communities deeming such acts as intimidating and impeding the works of the intelligence team of the security apparatus. According to the ministry, the subsequent military brutality or operations, as the ministry puts it, were to retrieve and seize the weapons the youth used earlier in their engagements with the National Security officers.
Lydia Lamis Akanvariba, the Member of Parliament for Tempane, conveyed her astonishment at the occurrence and raised doubts about the purpose behind the actions. “Where are the weapons they recovered?” she queried, demanding answers for the perplexing situation.
A firm believer in justice for her constituents, she insisted that the ministry owed the affected individuals an apology and appropriate compensation for the distress they endured. The lawmaker also expressed her frustration with the ministry’s attempts to justify the appalling events.
Lydia Lamis Akanvariba announced her intention, alongside other MPs from the affected area, to present a statement on the parliamentary floor, initiating an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Albert Akuka Alalzuuga, Member of Parliament of Garu, was equally shocked at the events and said he would like to know who sanctioned the events. He indicated that the Regional minister and pivotal authorities of security in the constituency were not aware of the event when he called them at that dawn.
He also added his voice to the calls for further investigations. He also condemned the repetitive excesses of the military on civilians in Ghana’s budding democracy.
This event will certainly have a toll on the nation’s fight against terrorism as it has begun what looks like a war on its informants.
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