The Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Rtd.) John Kwame Jabari, has denied any connection to a group of armed men who were recently arrested during a forest security operation in the region.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kumasi Mail, Captain Jabari clarified that although three men claiming to be officials from one of the national security offices in Accra had visited him earlier in the week, he had no prior relationship or operational dealings with them.
According to him, the individuals who introduced themselves as officers from one of the national offices in Accra came to his office around midday on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025 accompanied by his two deputies, Billson, and Alhaji Njai.
“When they arrived, they said they were from one of our national office in Accra. I told them I know their commander and decided to call him. When I called, he confirmed that he had sent some of his men to the region and had advised them to see me to avoid any misunderstandings,” Captain Jabari recounted.
He explained that after speaking with their commander, the men told him they were visiting a friend in Obuasi and had only stopped by to inform him of their presence in the Ashanti Region.
“They said they were just going to visit a friend in Obuasi. I told them that was fine, but if they went and got into any trouble, they shouldn’t call me because that was the only information they had given me,” he added.
Captain Jabari said he gave them his contact number in case of emergencies and wished them well before they left.
Arrest of Armed Men
The Regional Security Coordinator said later on Thursday 23rd October 2025, while coordinating an operation with the National Intelligence and Monitoring Operations Squad (NIMOS), he received a call from the NIMOS Commander informing him that several armed men had been arrested in a nearby forest reserve.
“The commander told me they had arrested some eight men carrying pistols and pump-action guns. When they were interrogated, they claimed they knew me,” he said.
Captain Jabari stated that he was surprised by the development since the only individuals he had interacted with earlier were the three visitors from Accra.
“I told the commander the only people I know are the ones working with him on our joint operation. He later sent me pictures, and I recognized three of them they were the same men who had come to my office earlier that day,” he explained.
He emphasized that the men were not armed when they visited him and insisted that they were only passing through to inform him of their presence in the region.
“They didn’t even tell me they were going to the forest where they were arrested. The first and only time I saw them was that Wednesday when they came to my office,” he stressed.
Captain Jabari further expressed concern over allegations linking his office to the suspects, describing such claims as illogical given that his team was already collaborating with NIMOS on legitimate security operations in the same area.
“It doesn’t make sense that we would be conducting official operations with NIMOS and at the same time have our own men operating illegally in the same place. Those arrested are not from my office,” he clarified.
He reiterated that the men were unknown to him and that their visit was purely informal.
“I know nothing about their mission. They said they were visiting a friend in Obuasi, and that was the only story they told me,” he emphasized.
Captain Jabari assured the public that his office remains committed to lawful security operations and continues to cooperate with relevant agencies to maintain peace and order in the Ashanti Region.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
