GAF urges calm following death of Captain Maxwell Mahama

The Ghana Armed Forces is urging its troops to remain calm following news of the death of one of its commanders, Captain Maxwell Mahama.

In a statement dated May 30 and signed by Director of Public Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces, Col. E. Aggrey-Quarshie, the GAF is working collaboratively with the police and other security agencies to ascertain the facts of the case as it happened.

The letter indicated that action is being taken to ensure the culprits of the “dastardly act” are brought to book.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed forces has confirmed the death of Captain Mahama who was the detachment commander on operational duties in the general area.

Find the full statement below:



Background

Captain Mahama was lynched by the residents after some women who mistook him for an armed robber blew an alarm, alerting the assembly member of the town. They suspected he was an armed robber because of a pistol they saw on him after he stopped them to seek directions while he was jogging.

The assembly member allegedly organised some men to lynch him and even burnt him in the process.

The women’s action is said to have been influenced by recent robbery attacks in the area with a recent one been a day before as the people in the mining town have been subjected to some serious robbery attacks.

The military officer was not in uniform when the incident happened as he is even said to have pleaded to the mob not lynch him indicating that he was an army officer and not a criminal but his plea was not taken by the mob.

Reports indicate that the Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen. William Azure Ayamdo is leading a high-powered military delegation to the Central region following the incident.

Meanwhile, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Upper Denkyira West District, Daniel Appianing reacting to the incident on Adom FM’s Morning Show, ‘Dwaso Nsem’ on Tuesday revealed that the lynched military man was the head of a military detachment in the area which is protecting a group of Chinese nationals who are illegally mining gold in the Upper Wassa Forest.

The Chinese, he said despite having a license to prospect for gold in the forest are rather engaged in illegal mining and are heavily protected by the military who prevents residents of the community to enter the forest.