The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major Derek Oduro (Rtd) is urging the general populace to ignore “wicked lies and propaganda,” by the Minority in Parliament on the deployment of security personnel along the country’s border towns.
This follows claims by Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, that the said personnel instead of keeping the peace of the country are rather harassing and intimidating supporters loyal to the opposition National Democratic Congress.
“Our caution to the Police and the Army is for them to stay neutral as a state institution and work to secure the peace, stability and security of our country. Partisan politicking is not their calling therefore they should not allow themselves to be used in that regard. All acts of intimidation and harassment by the army and police must cease henceforth,” the Tamale South MP, told the media in Parliament on Friday, July 10, 2020.
But in a sharp rebuttal, the government insists the deployment is meant to safeguard the security of the country and not meant to intimidate any group of persons.
Speaking at a counter-press briefing, Major Derek Oduro (Rtd) clarified that the security officers have been deployed to the said areas to beef up the country’s anti-terrorism fight and general crime in particular.
“It is untrue for anybody to say the soldiers have taken sides. Ever since they were deployed as far back as 2019, nobody complained. Since 2019, they’ve been policing all the country’s borders to the east, west, north and even the south. Why are people now complaining?” he quizzed.
Major Oduro also parried off suggestions that the said officers have been meting out brutalities to some residents of the border towns.
“It is not true they’re in people’s homes. They have only been deployed to the borders. The officers deployed are performing their legitimate duties as part of operation calm life. If you see them in their vehicles patrolling the streets, [be rest assured] they’re not there to intimidate anyone. Those who have been deployed are performing duties including quelling robbery attacks, ensuring the halt of illegal felling of trees among others.”
Watch the video below: