The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has condemned the killing of one of their officers in a land dispute at Kasoa, Millennium City.
According to GAF, Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Michael Danso was killed unprovoked.
In a statement, GAF said the land in dispute belonged to another soldier, Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Omar Abdul Rahman.
Due to the dispute, the Millennium City Police advised all parties involved to refrain from any activity on the half-plot land until the matter was resolved.
However, despite the advice, a self-proclaimed owner of the land proceeded with development.
“Allegedly, L/Cpl Omar Abdul Rahman was informed some people were working on the land. Accompanied by two of his colleagues – L/Cpl Danso Michael (Deceased) and L/Cpl Ametus Matthew, they visited the land and confirmed the information. L/Cpl Omar Abdul Rahman and his colleagues stopped the people from working and proceeded to the Millennium City Police Station to report the issue.
“Whilst at the Police Station, the acclaimed owner of the land arrived with two others believed to be land guards and confronted the soldiers, during which they started firing at the deceased soldier who was going to park a vehicle at the Police Station. The police disarmed and arrested the firer after realizing L/Cpl Danso had been hit by the rounds fired,” the statement said.
The GAF extended its heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, friends, and loved ones of the fallen soldier, Lance Corporal Danso Michael.
Additionally, they assured the public that they were collaborating closely with the police to conduct further investigations into the incident.
GAF INVESTIGATES KILLING OF A SOLDIER AT MILLENNIUM CITY
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) regrets to announce the tragic loss of one of our soldiers in an incident attributed to an alleged land dispute at Millennium City, Kasoa in the Central Region.
On Tuesday 30 April 2024, at about 4:20pm in an unprovoked circumstance, the soldier was attacked and killed by one Benlord Ababio, an alleged land guard.
Our preliminary investigations indicate Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Omar Abdul Rahman owned a half plot of land which was in dispute at Millennium City, for which the Millennium City Police, informed all parties to stay off the land until the issue was resolved.
Allegedly, L/Cpl Omar was informed some people were working on the land. Accompanied by two of his colleagues – L/Cpl Danso Michael (Deceased) and L/Cpl Ametus Matthew, they visited the land and confirmed the information. Omar and his colleagues stopped the people from working and proceeded to the Millennium City Police Station to report the issue.
Whilst at the Police Station, the acclaimed owner of the land arrived with 2 others believed to be land guards confronted the soldiers during which they started firing at the deceased soldier who was going to park a vehicle at the Police Station.
The police disarmed and arrested the firer after realizing L/Cpl Danso had been hit by the rounds fired. The body of the deceased soldier has since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue.
GAF wishes to extend its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues, friends and loved ones of the deceased soldier; even as we closely collaborate with the police in conducting further investigations. The general public will be duly informed about the outcome of the investigations in due course.
GAF condemns this unprovoked attack in no uncertain terms. We reiterate our commitment to maintaining law and order in our communities, and urge all citizens to seek peaceful and lawful means to resolve land disputes and to refrain from engaging in acts of violence to prevent such tragic incidents.