GRA Seizes Nigeria Made Explosives @ Aflao Border …smugglers assisting state security agencies in their investigations

The security agencies have impounded a consignment of mining explosives, which were smuggled into the country through Kpoglo border, in the Volta Region.

The explosives arrived from Nigeria by road and have since been secured with Buckdorn Company Limited, a Magazine at Shai Hills in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region.

Information available to The Chronicle has it that on May 29, 2024 following information intercepted by the security agencies at the Segbe Border Post, about 18 kilometers North of Aflao, a truck with registration number AV1442RB/BJ8627RB was intercepted.

Though the truck was supposed to be carrying home consumption items, during examination, some quantities of packages suspected to be explosives were found.

The vehicle, which was driven by one Fakombi Sikirou had onboard a certain Okeke Chiemerie who identified himself as representative of the agent in Nigeria.

The security agencies at Aflao after assessment came out with details of the items as High Explosive Solar Prime, Dimension (25mm×125gms), Number of boxes (100 of 25gms) each, Quantity in a box (200 pieces) and Country of Manufacture is Nigeria.

The Headquarters of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Accra, in a correspondence  signed by Eric Kweku  Bonney, Assistant Commissioner, Preventive, subsequently made the following directive that, “You are kindly requested  to ensure that the seized explosives are escorted together with the Small Arms and Minerals Commission ensuring the appropriate safety precaution requirements are strictly adhered to and dispatched to the Military for safekeeping pending further directives after investigation with the police”.

The Minerals Commission, Ho District Office, in a correspondence to the Police states: NOTIFICATION – STORAGE OF INTERCEPTED IMPORTED EXPLOSIVES AT BUCKDORN COMPANY LTD MAGAZINE AT SHAI HILLS.

“This letter follows the interception of the imported explosives by the Customs officers and other security agents when inspecting a truck carrying imported goods from Nigeria at the Segbe Border, in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, on Wednesday May 29, 2024.

“Per directives from the Chief Inspector of Mines, the Inspectors of Ho Minerals Commission’s Office took possession of the said explosives on Friday May 31, 2024 from the Ghana Revenue Authority, Customs Division, Aflao for safekeeping at the nearest approved Magazine, in accordance with Regulations 36 and 23 (1) of the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2177) while investigation is ongoing.

“Our outfit, therefore, kindly write to notify you that the said high explosives will be transported to the Buckdorn Company Limited magazine, Shai Hills, on Friday May 31, 2024 for storage, since the above named Magazine is under your jurisdiction and supervision.”

The above correspondence was signed by Isaac Menu, Senior Principal Inspector of Mines, for The Chief Inspector of Mines.

A reliable police source has confirmed that indeed the case had been referred to them for investigation.

 

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