A suspected Boko Haram fighter has been arrested in a joint security operation made up of military, police, and immigration officers in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
The suspect, identified as Hassan Hussein, was traced by the joint security force to his hideout in the region’s capital; Bolgatanga where he was arrested on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
Preliminary investigations reveal that; the suspect has links with the Nigerian Jihadist group; Boko Haram. Security sources say the suspect was found with a wound suspected to be from a gunshot.
The report also indicated that the suspect’s arrest comes after an earlier arrest of two individuals by immigration personnel stationed around Nasia barrier in the Mamprusi West Municipality of the North East Region, who had mentioned Hassan Hussein as their leader.
Police have since begun investigations whereas the other two suspects have been asked to be brought to Accra for further investigations, according to a Joy news report.
In the first half of 2022, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of National Security, stated that the West African sub-region experienced 17 terrorist attacks as of June 28, 2022.
He said the attacks resulted in 574 deaths with “so many injuries.”
“In April, the sub-region of West Africa witnessed attacks and incidents, and 315 people died. We felt that was too much, but in May, there were only 42 incidents, five less than in April, but 465 people died. The trend has not changed,” he said.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah noted that major security threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism were more widespread than previously thought, transcending borders.
Therefore, he said the course would create the opportunity for them to reflect on measures, and strategies deployed thus far towards addressing terrorism and violent extremism.
He said it would also help them develop innovative approaches toward enhancing regional security.
Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), said innovative approaches were required to nib terrorism and violent extremism in the bud in the sub-region.
He noted that military action per se was not a sufficient guarantor of national security.
Therefore, he suggested that the response to terrorism and violent extremism should be carried out with a blend of military approach and whole-of-society preventive measures that took into consideration the vulnerabilities of people.
Dr. Chambas said policies must consider creating a conducive atmosphere for economic empowerment and a sense of belonging, particularly for young people, to be productive and contribute to the socio-economic development of their communities and countries.