The Ministry of National Security has condemned the alleged attack of its personnel and police officers by some residents of Garu, in the Upper East Region.

In a press release, the Ministry stated that a team of five counter-terrorism intelligence officers deployed to Garu for a critical and special operation were attacked on Tuesday, October 24.

According to National Security, the youth, armed with guns and weapons, fired multiple gunshots at its officers in a Toyota Land Cruiser despite their initial attempt to introduce themselves.

“Following an escalation of the attacks on their vehicle, the officers drove to seek refuge at the Garu Police Station. The irate youth, subsequently, pursued the officers, encircled the police station and fired multiple shots at same with the intention of killing the officers.”

“The timely intervention of the Ghana Armed Forces enabled the safe evacuation of the National Security personnel from the Garu Police Station,” parts of the statement read.

Following the attack, a joint operation was conducted, on Sunday, in Garu to seize weapons used by the perpetrators of the attack on the National Security personnel and arrest some perpetrators, the Ministry noted.

“The Ministry of National Security deems the attack on the security personnel at a police station highly unacceptable, and strongly condemns acts aimed at intimidating and harming officials of State Security and Intelligence Agencies, and impeding them from effectively executing their mandate to safeguard the peace and stability of Ghana,” it added.

The Ministry further indicated that deliberate acts that seek to harm the lives of personnel of State Security and Intelligence Agencies will not be tolerated.

“The Ministry owes it a duty to protect personnel of State Security and Intelligence Agencies who have sworn an oath to, at all times, defend the people and the territorial integrity of Ghana against all forms of threats.”

The explanation by the Ministry comes after men reportedly fled their homes leaving women and children behind in an attempt to escape alleged military brutality in Garu.

The military are said to have stormed the area in the early hours of Sunday to subject civilians, particularly men to corporal punishments and physical assault resulting in several injuries.

The injured are seeking treatment at the Garu District Hospital which has been swamped by the huge number of cases.

According to the Assembly Member of Kpeikpira in Tempane who is a resident in Garu, Jacob Ayam, many men are currently seeking refuge in the Garu valley.