The Tema Naval Base experienced an unexpected attack during an ongoing festival, prompting a swift response from the Ghana Armed Forces.
The incident occurred on the evening of Friday, April 12, 2024.
According to a press release issued by the Department of Public Relations at the General Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra, a vehicle belonging to the Eastern Naval Command of the Ghana Navy was targeted by a crowd participating in the festival.
The attack resulted in significant damage to the vehicle and left three Naval personnel injured.
Meanwhile, the injured individuals were promptly evacuated to the Tema Naval Base Medical Centre for urgent medical attention.
Responding to the escalating situation, the Naval personnel intervened and apprehended three suspects believed to be involved in the attack.
These individuals were subsequently handed over to the Tema Newtown District Police for further investigation.
However, the attack did not end there.
A mob, purportedly linked to the festival attendees, launched a subsequent attack on the Tema Naval Base, pelting stones and other objects in an attempt to release the detained suspects.
This prompted the Ghana Armed Forces to take decisive action to safeguard the Base and its sensitive installations.
The statement added that, warning shots were fired to deter the attackers, but tragically, two civilians were reported dead upon arrival at the Tema General Hospital.
Below is the full statement by GAF
GHANA ARMED FORCES
ATTACK ON NAVAL BASE TEMA
A vehicle belonging to the Eastern Naval Command of the Ghana Navy was attacked by a crowd partaking in an ongoing festival at Tema Newtown at about 7:53pm on Friday, 12 April 2024 leading to the damage of the vehicle.
Three of the Naval personnel onboard the vehicle also sustained severe injuries and were sent to the Tema Naval Base Medical Centre for treatment. In the course of the confrontation, three suspects were arrested by the naval personnel. They were subsequently handed over to the Tema Newtown District Police for further investigations.
A mob, suspected to be part of the participants in the festivities, later attacked the Tema Naval Base with stones and other implements with the aim of releasing their colleagues. At a stage, the security of the Base was threatened, and in order to protect the sensitive installations in the Base, warning shots were fired to repel the attack.
It was later reported by the Police that two civilians were brought to the Tema General Hospital dead. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained.
Again, on Saturday 13 April 2024, the mob attacked the Tema Naval Base and the Naval Barracks at Tema New Town (Biekro Barracks), leading to the destruction of property.
The Ghana Police Service in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces have commenced investigations into the incident. Findings of the investigations will be made available in due course. The Ghana Armed Forces commiserate with the bereaved families and urge calm to be maintained by all parties while the incident is being investigated.
We wish, however, to caution the youth of Tema that any further attacks on our installations or personnel would be met with the appropriate response.
SIGNED
E AGGREY-QUASHIE
Brigadier General
Director General Public Relations