The Ghana Police service has said a DAF Articulated truck carrying weapons and was detained at the Tema Port has the requisite documentation authorized by the Ministry of Interior and other relevant agencies.
Photos of the said truck allegedly carrying illegal and unlicensed weapons had been circulating on social media since Thursday.
The Police in a statement clarified that their investigations had revealed that the weapons were authorized for private use by licensed persons, adding that rightful port procedures were also followed to clear the weapons.
“Following the trending social media story and pictures of a DAF Articulated Truck with registration number GT 9699 Y containing weapons, Police assures that security agencies have physically examined the said truck and its contents and found them to be imported pump action guns covered by regular documentation authorized by the Ministry for the Interior and relevant agencies. And they conform to the documents covering them.”
“The pump action guns in the truck are authorized for private use by licensed persons. They are not the type of weapons used by state security agencies. Police investigation further shows that rightful port procedures were followed to clear the weapons and the importer is a licensed arms dealer authorized to import such weapons.”
The Police service also explained that the types of weapons in the truck are not the type of weapons used by the Ghana Police service.
The Ghana Police also assured the public that the service together with other security agencies will continually be vigilant and ensure that the country is secured.
The Police also called on the public to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to the Police.
“Police further assures that police together with sister security agencies, will continue to be vigilant to ensure that the country is secured. The public is also encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to police for necessary action.”
Officials of Customs at the Tema Port detained the container for further investigations.
Officers from Customs, the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and Port Security reportedly provided protection for the container overnight when it was detained on Thursday.