By News Desk
The Volta Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Ali Muniru, has accused the Volta Regional Police Command and the Imam of the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho of supporting a rival faction in an ongoing dispute over access to the Ho Central Mosque, following a shooting incident during Friday Jum’ah prayers.
In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Chief Adamu Hamani, the Chief Imam condemned the violent shooting that occurred on December 26, describing it as a serious violation of the sanctity of a place of worship that left several worshippers injured.
According to the statement, the incident followed what it described as a prolonged obstruction of Alhaji Muniru’s lawful access to the mosque, despite his recognition by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, as the legitimate Volta Regional Chief Imam.
The statement alleged that supporters of Alhaji Anas had persistently prevented the Chief Imam from accessing the mosque through threats, intimidation, and acts of violence, rather than lawful or Islamic processes.
It further claimed that repeated appeals to the Volta Regional Police Command, under the leadership of DCOP Wisdom Akorli, to ensure the Chief Imam’s safe and lawful access to the mosque were ignored. The statement also alleged that Mallam Abubakar Yusif, Imam of the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho, was supportive of the rival faction’s actions.
While acknowledging that such claims were initially treated with caution, the statement said recent developments had heightened concern about the neutrality of the security response.
Following the shooting incident, the Chief Imam expressed concern over what he described as selective enforcement by security agencies. The statement alleged that arrests were made primarily among persons perceived to be aligned with the Chief Imam, despite the circulation of videos on social media purportedly showing attacks against his family members and supporters.
The statement further criticised the reopening of the Ho Central Mosque shortly after it was declared a crime scene, saying the move undermined public confidence in the impartiality of the security agencies.
“The Volta Regional Chief Imam demands professional, impartial, and courageous action from all security agencies to protect lives and property and to dispel the growing perception of bias or collusion,” the statement said.
He also urged Muslims in the Volta Region to remain calm, law-abiding, and committed to peace, despite what the statement described as provocation.
The Ghana Police Service is yet to officially respond to the allegations contained in the statement.
