Three military officers who part of the Operation Vanguard team have been placed under arrest for allegedly extorting money from illegal miners.

A statement issued and signed by Public Relations Officer for the Ghana Armed Forces, Col. Aggrey Quarshie said the three officers are currently being investigated. “The attention of the Military High Command has been drawn to the involvement of some soldiers in illegal operations while on duty with Operation Vanguard.

The report has it that the soldiers numbering three with some alleged accomplices tried to extort money from some illegal miners in the Wassa Akropong general area.”

The incident according to reports occurred at Wassa Atieku on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. The statement said, the soldiers involved have been suspended from their duties with Operation Vanguard and “placed under close arrest at the 2nd Battalion of Infantry in Takoradi.”

“Detailed investigations are being conducted into the case, and stern disciplinary action would be taken against them if found culpable.