Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - A joint Ghanaian-Togolese Police Team in the early hours of Sunday arrested a Togolese national, who attempted to assassinate a top functionary of President Gnassingbe Eyadema's Government in Togo and took refuge in Accra.

The attempted assassin, Barry Altine, 24, on October 24 stabbed Mousier Moussa Barry Barque, 60, at his home and escaped to Ghana through Aflao. Monsieur Barque, who is in a critical condition, has since been flown to Paris, France for medical attention.

Mr David Asante-Apeatu, Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Ghana told the Ghana News Agency in an exclusive interview that the Police located Altine following a tip-off.

He said a joint Ghanaian and Togolese Police team led by Inspector Douglas Awuvey of Interpol Accra went to apprehend Altine from his hideout at Mataheko in Accra between 0400 hours and 0500 hours on Sunday. Mr Asante-Apeatu said Altine removed a louver blade and wounded one of the officers and attempted to take his life by stabbing himself in the stomach.

He said some of the entails of Altine gushed out and he was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital, where an emergency surgery was performed on him. Mr Asante-Apeatu said the cooperation among sister security agencies was ongoing to secure the West Africa Sub-Region against those who think they could commit crime in one country and seek sanctuary in another.

He explained that the presence of the Togolese Police was to make for the easy identification of Altine, adding that he would be transferred to Lome as soon the Medical Officers gave the go ahead.

The Togolese Police has been cooperating with their Ghanaian counterparts. One of such joint efforts led to the arrest from Togo of John Malm alias Baby Nii, a notorious criminal who ran away from the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, when he was taken to the Nsawam Government Hospital.