Simon Osei-Mensah and other heads of security agencies in Kumasi during the ‘Show of Force’ programme
Police in Kumasi have arrested several miscreants in an “intelligence-led” operation in the Ashanti regional capital, delivering a mortal blow to criminal gangs in the metropolis.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, who chairs the region’s Regional Security Council (REGSEC), said the police operation launched targeted communities and towns considered to be hotbeds of criminal activities.
According to him, the crackdown was carried out after a meeting of members of the REGSEC, adding that the “intelligence-led swoops” were working perfectly.
“Several criminals were arrested during the operation by security agents,” he stated, while addressing journalists after a ‘Show of Force’ programme, organised by the security agencies in the region on Friday.
The “Show of Force” exercise was executed by all the security agencies, including the military, police, prisons, immigration and fire service personnel, a highlight of which included a display of weaponries.
The open demonstration was intended to indicate the readiness of the security agencies to quell any eventuality before, during and after the general elections.
The Regional Minister said a decision had been taken by REGSEC to execute the programme every fortnight, pointing out that “there would be either a show of force or a route march by the security agencies to tell the people that security is intact here.”
Mr. Osei-Mensah also announced that there had been an increase in the day and night patrols in the city by the security forces as part of measures to prevent criminals from operating.
He called on the residents of the region to continuously adhere to the health protocols of the Covid-19 and said the nation was not out of the woods yet.
From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi