The Acting Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Retired) John Kwame Jabari, has firmly refuted claims that he has any ties to a group of armed men recently apprehended during a forest-security operation in the region.
Jabari told reporters that three individuals arrived at his office, identifying themselves as officials from one of the national offices in Accra.
“When they arrived, they said they were from one of our national offices in Accra. I told them I knew their commander and decided to call him.
“When I called, he confirmed that he had sent some of his men to the region and had advised them to see me to avoid any misunderstandings,” Jabari said.
According to the security coordinator, the visitors claimed their only plan was to visit a friend in Obuasi.
“They mentioned they were just going to visit a friend in Obuasi.
“I told them that was fine, but if they got into any trouble, they shouldn’t call me because that was the only information they had given me,” he explained.
Jabari said that the next day a national intelligence commander notified him that eight men carrying pistols and pump-action guns had been arrested.
“The commander told me they had arrested eight men carrying pistols and pump-action guns.
“When they were interrogated, they claimed they knew me,” he revealed.
He emphasised that his only interaction with the visitors was the brief meeting at his office.
“They didn’t even tell me they were going to the forest where they were arrested. The first and only time I saw them was that Wednesday when they came to my office,” he stressed.
Jabari insisted his office has no operational connection with those arrested, describing any link as “illogical” given that his team is already collaborating openly with national agencies in lawful operations.
He clarified: “It doesn’t make sense that we would be conducting official operations … and at the same time have our own men operating illegally in the same place. Those arrested are not from my office.”
