Police probe Ho STC attacks by separatist group

The Ghana Police Service has begun investigations into the attack on the State Transport Company (STC) Terminal at Ho in the Volta region by persons believed to be members of the Western Togoland secessionist group.

The Service said preliminary investigations have revealed that 11 vehicles were parked at the scene at the time of the attack.

One bus was completely burnt with another slightly burnt.

“The arrival of police and Fire Service personnel saved the situation,” they said.

According to eyewitness accounts, in the early hours of Tuesday, at about 02:00 am, four men, suspected to be members of the Western Togoland separatist group stormed the Ho STC.

The assailants are reported to have asked for the keys to all the vehicles parked there and started to set two minibuses ablaze when the drivers did not produce the keys.

The police said it took their intervention and that of the Fire Service to calm the situation.

Though the identities of the men who attacked the company are yet to be known, the appearance of a “Western Togoland” flag at the scene, has raised suspicion that the act was perpetrated by its members.

The police, however, is urging calm in the Region as they commence investigations into the matter.

The Service further urged the public to volunteer information to them and security services to facilitate investigations.

The Volta Region has recently become a hot bed for disturbance following the upsurge of the separatist group.

The alleged separatist group on Friday blocked major entry points into the Volta Region claiming independence as Western Togoland.

The armed men, numbering about 50, also forcibly took over the Aveyime and Mepe police stations simultaneously; overpowering the police officers and making away with the weapons in the armoury.

Although some 31 members were subsequently arrested and two alleged to have died, many continue to describe the situation as worrying.

In a related development, the Asogli State says it is prepared to deploy warriors to help the state securities to protect the peace and stability of the Region.

The Volta Region House of Chiefs had earlier openly condemned attacks.

They have denounced association with the agenda of the groups whom they say have been agitating for independence from Ghana.

Addressing the media at a press yesterday, the Warlord of the Asogli State, Togbe Lakle Howusu XII called on the security services to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book and dealt with severely.

“The Asogli State Council is ready to deploy the warriors to protect its territories in collaboration with the security service of the nation,” he said.

Togbe Lakle Howusu XII also advised members of the said groups to utilise the decorous channels in articulating their concerns.

Meanwhile, the Information Minister has reacted to the development indicating that an outright deployment of such a force may not be the way to go.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained that the best approach will be to collaborate with traditional leaders and the National House of Chiefs to arrive at a concrete resolution of the matter.