Five Ghanaians have reportedly been picked up by Ivorian forces said to be loyal to Alassane Ouattara, one of the claimant of the country’s presidency. The five are accused of acting as mercenaries for the embattled self acclaimed president, Laurent Gbagbo. The men include Johnson Agbeko, Atsu Agbeko, Kobina Agbeko, Awana and Abdulai are in custody of the Ivorian town of Boake. Ghana’s Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah confirmed the arrest in an interview with Joy News, but denies the men are mercenaries. He said there is ample evidence that the arrested persons are masons working in Cote D’Ivoire, a job they have been doing for over a year. Samuel Ablakwah assured that the men are in safe hands stressing government will not allow any of its citizens to be maltreated. Even though preliminary reports suggest that the men are in the custody of Ouattarra camp, there is no indication the arrest was sanctioned by Ouattara, the deputy minister noted. “It comes as a surprise that they would be picked up and government assures every Ghanaian to be calm and we have assured our citizens in Ivory Coast to be very calm and that we are going to make sure that these Ghanaians are safe and not harmed and that they are handed over to Ghanaian authoriesties," he said. He added government is monitoring events closely and has been in talks with Ouattarra’s men and hoped the arrested persons will soon be released. He could not however say exactly when, but called for calm to prevail. Joy News sources however say there are fears of more such arrests because of earlier reports that Ouattara’s supporters are being abducted and killed by English speaking non-Ivorians. The once richest West African country has for the last decade been plagued by election related violence. Last month's disputed election run-off is likely to spark a full blown civil war if the two contenders, incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara keep to their entrenched positions. They have both declared themselves winners and sworn themselves into power. International bodies however recognise Alasanne Ouattara as the legitimate president and have asked Gbagbo to step down. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana