Natl Security Minister Knew Nothing About GAF Operation In Garu- Ayariga
The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga has stated that the military operation in Garu over the weekend was conducted without the knowledge of the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah.
In a statement to condemn the action of the military which has left dozens injured in the community, the legislator said he realised the Minister was not aware of the operation after contacting him about it.
“I had received calls around 3 am of the day of the incident reporting the presence of Ghana Armed Forces men in the Garu area beating anyone they came across. I desperately tried to reach the National Security Minister at that early hour. He apparently did not know anything about it as he reached out to me and reported that he was in Europe.
Joint Operation
The Ministry of National Security and the Ghana Armed Forces stormed Garu in the Upper East region on Saturday in what they called a “special joint operation” to neutralise threats of terrorism.
Their main target was supposed to be the group of young men who had earlier ambushed a team of security personnel with AK-47 rifles, machetes, and other weapons.
However, their swoop, according to reports, left innocent and vulnerable civilians at their mercy.
At the end of the operation, it is reported that some of the alleged culprits were found with their weapons.
Condemnation
The operation has so far come under condemnation from sections of the country for the assault of both women and children.
In his statement, Ayariga called the action of the military “barbaric and unacceptable”.
He suspects the operation was carried out as a retaliatory action against the initial attack by some irate youth of the community.
He, therefore, wants a full-scale investigation conducted into the incident by the Minister, with the military personnel held accountable.
“He has to get to the bottom of the matter and hold the military personnel involved in this dastard act accountable.”
