Police Deny Facilitating Smuggling in Gunfire Clash with Customs in Bawku
Authorities Respond to Allegations Amid Ongoing Tensions and Violence
- A violent confrontation occurred between police and customs officials
- Police refute claims of involvement in smuggling
- The clash has heightened tensions in Bawku
The Ghana Police Service has shed light on a recent altercation involving its officers and Customs officials at the Missiga Immigration Service Checkpoint in Bawku on October 9, 2024.
Initial reports suggested that police officers obstructed Customs from inspecting a truck suspected of carrying smuggled cocoa beans, leading to a heated standoff and an exchange of gunfire, which only ceased after military intervention.
However, Assistant Commissioner Grace Ansah Akrofi clarified that the confrontation stemmed from the police intercepting a shipment of smuggled cocoa bags based on intelligence.
The police were escorting the truck to the Bawku Divisional Police Command for the consignment to be handed over to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
“We wish to emphasize that the police intercepted the smuggled consignment on October 9, 2024, and were escorting the truck for proper procedures to be followed with COCOBOD,” the statement noted.
The police strongly refuted claims that they were aiding smugglers, highlighting recent successful interceptions of smuggled cocoa in the region, with the suspects currently facing prosecution.
