Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has asserted that the intelligence gathered by security agencies averted a more calamitous revolt by separatists in the Volta Region, stressing that criticism that the security agencies failed to act on intelligence is unfounded.
According to him, but for the timeous action of the security agencies, the separatists would have carried out much more destruction in Volta Region.
The separatists, he noted, had planned to commit arson and destroy key installations but prompt action by the security agencies forced them to limit themselves to attacking police stations and blocking roads.
Speaking at a press conference, Sunday, on the disturbances in the Volta Region, Mr Oppong Nkrumah emphasized contrary to accusations that the security agencies may have been lax on the matter, that they have always had a watchful eye on the separatists.
“The intelligence agencies did a good job, picked up the intelligence, analyzed it to a point where it is actionable and actually took action to protect the most dire parts of that intelligence,” he stated.
He continued: “To the effect that they had intentions to, for example, blow up and burn the whole market, attack sensitive installations like the Akosombo Dam, Akuse Dam and the Adomi bridge.”
Mr Oppong Nkrumah added that the 31 alleged separatists who were arrested during the attacks are being questioned by appropriate security agencies.
The separatists on Friday went on the rampage, attacking police stations, blocking roads and exchanging gunfire with security forces. It took the security agencies hours to bring the situation under control.
Many had accused the agencies of failing to pick up intelligence on plans of the separatists since they knew about the existence of the secessionists.
But the security agencies led by the police and military rejected the accusations, insisting that they were on top of the situation and had acted timeously.
Separatist responsible
Initial reports showed that the Homeland Study Group Foundation had carried out the attacks but it has come to light that the Western Togoland Restoration Front (WTRF) was responsible for the latest violence.
