A retired police officer in the Ashanti Region has been left traumatised after what he describes as a harrowing encounter with some National Security operatives. Chief Inspector Seibu Sidi (retired) was allegedly subjected to severe beatings by the operatives.
A viral video of the incident has triggered widespread outrage, with many accusing the operatives of abuse of power.
Seibu Sidi has also shown wounds he is still nursing, which he says resulted from the treatment meted out to him by some National Security officers.
In the video, the victim is seen being flogged by about four well-built men in military camouflage, who pinned him to the ground while hurling insults at him.
The officers, who forced the victim into their white pickup vehicle, ignored bystanders who were heard pleading on his behalf in the video.
Seibu Sidi went on voluntary retirement as a Chief Inspector from the Ghana Police Service and later established a wood business, which has now become a source of livelihood for his family.
According to him, some National Security officers dressed in military camouflage drove to his residence at Trede and began dismantling his mini sawmill machine while he was away from home.
He explained that his 13-year-old daughter, who attempted to film the incident, had her phone damaged and was allegedly beaten by the officers.
He added that the officers told him they suspected that the driver of a vehicle carrying wood around Pakyi, near Trede, who refused to stop, had come to his wood shop.
He added that he pursued the officers to Trede town after they had succeeded in moving away with the machine.
He further narrated how he was allegedly assaulted when he attempted to verify their identity and motive.
“Let me go to the police station, so I know your identity. That was all I said, but they came out in numbers and started beating me. In fact, they assaulted me severely and forced me into their vehicle.”
Seibu Sidi said his vehicle was detained by the officers and that he was also made to repair the vehicle used for the operation after they claimed it was damaged during the confrontation.
“As I was being assaulted, I was also unwell. I needed a vehicle to go to the hospital, but my car had been retained by them. I requested that my car be released to me, but they said they would only release it after I paid for their vehicle, which I did.”
The victim said he is traumatised and has called on the National Security Secretariat and the Interior Minister to investigate the incident and ensure justice is served.
The Ashanti Regional branch of the National Security Secretariat has confirmed that some of its officers seen in the viral video have been identified and that investigations have commenced.
Deputy Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Alhassan Tapsoba, told Citi News that the Secretariat condemns the incident and that the matter is being handled by national authorities.
Mr Tapsoba stated: “At the Secretariat here in Nasi, which serves as the central meeting point, we condemn what some of our operatives did. However, the matter has now been taken over by authorities in Accra.
“The National Security Coordinator is not happy about the incident and has intervened. He has indicated that those involved will be invited to Accra to answer questions. For now, the case is under investigation in Accra.”
The officers, according to the National Security Secretariat, have since been identified.
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