Some of the people arrested by the security agents
A joint operation by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the police and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) in the Asankragwa Municipal Command has led to the arrest of 18 foreigners from two neighbouring countries, who entered Ghana through illegal routes.
The special operation led by DSI Francis Kofi Apaw, the Municipal Commander of the GIS on May 1, was conducted at Sewum, a border town that crosses between Ghana and Ivory Coast in the Aowin municipality of the Western Region.
The security agents arrested 17 Burkinabes and one Ivorian – all male suspects between the ages of 17 and 55 based on the information retrieved from their identification cards.
A statement issued and signed by the Regional Public Affairs Officer of the GIS, Asst. Insp. Moses Manford Akakpo, said the team intercepted two Nissan Caravan mini buses with registration numbers GX 2137-17 and AS 1899-17 en route to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
“Investigations conducted after their arrest proved that all the suspects had entered the country through an unidentified illegal route at Sewum,” the statement said and added that their presence posed security challenges in the wake of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The statement said the security had been able to round up about 190 people and repatriated them since they intensified surveillance and patrols on the borders.
“The Western Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service is reaffirming its unwavering commitment in ensuring the continuous maintenance of optimum security within our various entry points in the region,” it said, adding, “We are, therefore, appealing to all well-meaning people of the region, especially the leadership of the communities on our border lines, as well as transport operators to assist by volunteering useful information in this regard.”
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi