The Municipal Chief Executive for Asokwa, Amoh Kamel, has linked recent attacks on Mobile Money (MoMo) vendors in parts of the municipality to the decongestion exercise carried out around the Asafo Market by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).

According to him, the exercise displaced groups of people from the Asafo Market area, some of whom subsequently moved into communities across Greater Kumasi.

He said the movement may have contributed to isolated security incidents in neighbouring municipalities, including attacks on MoMo vendors at Kaase and Ahensan Estate.

Mr Kamel made the comments while speaking to the media on Tuesday, August 11, during an exhibition showcasing the newly transformed Assembly Hall of the Asokwa Municipal Assembly.

He said the security concerns had prompted the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) to hold a series of emergency meetings and introduce measures to strengthen security across the municipality.

“As the head of municipal security, I have stepped up security operations and police patrols across the municipality,” he said.

The MCE assured residents and business owners that additional security had been deployed to vulnerable areas and urged them to continue their activities without fear.

His comments follow the arrest of two suspects believed to be connected to the recent attacks on MoMo vendors.

Mr Kamel said the suspects were arrested by the Ashanti Regional Police Command’s Anti-Robbery Team, with support from the municipal and divisional police commands, through intelligence-led operations.

“Our prime suspects were arrested yesterday by the regional anti-robbery team with the support of our municipal and divisional police commanders,” he said.

He added that the municipality was awaiting an official briefing from the Ashanti Regional Police Command.

“I can confirm that the two key suspects behind these incidents are in custody,” he said.