The Central North Regional Police Command has dismissed reports that phone dealer and Pentecost Church elder Albert Ogoe was kidnapped by unknown persons at Nyankumase Ahenkuro in the Assin South District of the Central Region.
Reports had alleged that Mr Ogoe was abducted on October 4, 2026, with his supposed captors demanding GH¢200,000 as ransom for his release.
However, the Central North Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu, has clarified that Mr Ogoe was arrested by personnel from the Police Intelligence Unit at the National Police Headquarters in connection with an alleged GH¢200,000 fraud case.
According to him, the arrest was carried out at Mr Ogoe’s hideout to assist investigations into the alleged fraud, after which he was transported to Accra.
Chief Superintendent Agyemang Badu explained that the police team asked Mr Ogoe to contact his family during the investigation and inform them of his arrest and the reasons behind it.
He said Mr Ogoe was reluctant to contact his relatives because, as a church elder, he was concerned that news of his alleged involvement in the case could become public.
The officer said the police subsequently used Mr Ogoe’s phone to contact his wife and inform her that he had been arrested in connection with the alleged fraud.
However, the family later reported at another police station that he had been kidnapped by unidentified individuals, leading to the circulation of reports about his supposed abduction.
The Central North Regional Police Command has since urged the public to disregard the kidnapping claims, maintaining that Mr Ogoe was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation.
The police have also appealed for calm and assured residents of their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the area.
