A total of 17 members of the secessionist group, the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) were arrested over the weekend following joint security operations in the Volta Region.

The operations were necessitated by the “unlawful activities” of the separatist group who declared their independence on 16 November 2019.

Security analysts have advised the government not to take the activities of the group lightly after videos emerged of young men and women being trained as militias.

But a statement issued by the 7 Garrison of the Ghana Armed Forces on Monday said the security agencies are in control of the situation.

“The General Public is therefore asked to remain calm and be assured that the Security Agencies are in firm control of the situation and will deal with any individual or group found to be actively engaged or associated with the said HSGF or any other Secessionist Group.”

So far, the 66 Artillery Regiment based in Ho, the Counter Terrorism Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Defence Intelligence (DI) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service Accra have conducted two Separate Counter Insurgency Operations (COIN) within the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region to counter activities of the Western Togoland Secessionist group.

The first operation which was conducted from 0300 hours to 0535 hours on Saturday 21 December 2019 at Wli Todzi led to the arrest of two (2) persons namely Stephen Anyidoho, a construction labourer aged 30 and a native of Dzodze and Brain Todoko, an artist aged 40 and a native of Wli Todzi.

“During the operation, one Mr. Clement Todoko, a BNI operative with the Hohoe BNI Division who is suspected to be an informant and spy for Mr Hope Mortey engaged the troops in a heated argument and tried obstructing them from performing their Lawful duty. He argued that the 2 suspects were close associates or “his men” therefore the troops should release them to him but the troops professionally refused,” the statement said.

The second operation took place on Sunday 22 December 2019 between the hours of 0200 hrs and 0430 hours around Gbledi Kyebi, Fodome Helu and Kwadzato all in the Hohoe Municipality.

This operation also led to the arrest of 15 suspects.

Items seized during the operation included Western Togoland Branded Shirts, Berets, Flashlights, Boots, Police Belts, Flags of Western Togoland, a Cheque Book and a list containing items needed for training.

All those arrested and the items seized are currently in the custody of the Ghana Police Service for further investigations.

Meanwhile, the media have been urged as much as possible not to give their platforms to the group to spread its “illegal activities”.

The general public has also been advised to be wary of any group(s) or individuals who collect money from them with the promise to train them and give them lucrative working conditions.