Akyem Oda (E/R) Jan. 5 GNA - Police Constable Francis Mintah, pretending to assist the Akyem Oda Military /Forest Taskforce to apprehend a driver conveying a quantity of illegal chainsaw lumber was said to have rather aided the smuggler to escape.

Mr James Osei Gyimah, Leader of the Taskforce told the Ghana News Agency that on Thursday at about 1300 hours during their normal patrol, the team spotted a Benz vehicle carrying the items from the Oda Secondary School Junction towards Akyem Oda.

He said the driver of the vehicle whose identity was known was signalled to stop but he rather sped off and was given a hot chase. Mr Gyimah said when they got to a Police barrier near the Oda Sawmill the Team signalled the Policemen at the barrier to close it but without success.

He said the team was later able to intercept the vehicle near the Barclays Bank Road at Akyem Oda due to a traffic jam. "There and then Police Constable Mintah came to the scene and entered the vehicle and said he was escorting it to the Akyem Oda District Police Station only to aid the driver to convey the items to the Akyem Oda timber market", he said.

Mrs Rose Ayibor, Assistant Akyem Oda District Forestry Manager, who deplored the conduct of Constable Mintah, told the GNA that the case would be reported to the appropriate quarters.

Constable Mintah, however, told the GNA that while escorting the vehicle to the Police Station the driver diverted to the timber market where the wood sellers attacked and brutally assaulted him. "Thinking the Taskforce would come to my rescue, I was rather left to my fate."