Kwame Ofori, aged 25 and Kwame Salae, aged 29, both car wash attendants and residents of Koforidua Betom in the Eastern Region, were brutally assaulted by a group of Nigerian ex-militants led by one Henry, causing fear and panic among residents.
This reporter can confirm that the Nigerian ex-militants deliberately provoked the two residents by hitting them with a coca-cola bottle which sparked heated exchanges between the residents and their attackers.
When the victims complained, the militants rained insults on them and charged them for beating a lady the previous day and therefore they (Nigerians) were taken revenge on behalf of the lady. However, the Ghanaians were mistaken for the real men who assaulted the supposed lady.
But the ex-militants should have reported their allegation to the police rather than subjecting the men to serious beating resulting in deep cuts on the head, upper arm and other parts of their bodies, as well as taking them as hostages in their hotel.
It took police intervention upon a tip-off before the victims were rescued.
When contacted, the police confirmed the story saying the victims were hospitalised and had been discharge while investigation was ongoing.
Information gathered also proves that the Regional Security Council was aware of the presence of these ex-militants. It will be recalled that at the eve of 2012 general elections, when the militants were found in two hotels in Koforidua, the then Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Victor Smith explained to the media that the ex-militants numbering about 150 were from the Niger Delta force in Nigeria who have laid down their arms and were receiving eight months recreational training in the Eastern and Western regions as part of understanding between Ghana and Nigeria, to reform the ex-militants.
In Koforidua, the Nigerians are been trained at the Koforidua Technical Institute in carpentry, mason, electronics and ICT.
However, checks by this reporter indicates that most of them often abandon their class and indulge in promiscuous lifestyle, including excessive smoking and drinking among other crimes.
They have also been involved in a number of incidents at Koforidua Betom, where the militants live in a hotel. The residents are thus calling on the IGP to ensure their strict confinement.
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