Violent attack at Gbintri checkpoint claims life of Immigration Officer; colleague responding to treatment

A violent attack at the Gbintri checkpoint in the North East Region has left one officer of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) dead and another critically injured.

The deceased, Assistant Immigration Control Officer II (AICO II) Rafiq Mohammed, was on duty alongside his colleague, AICO II Daniel Kofi Oppong, when the assailants struck. Oppong is currently receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Following the tragic incident, the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Mr. Samuel Basintale Amadu, visited the injured officer to offer his support and assess his recovery.

Mr. Amadu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the officer and strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly act” that will not deter the Service from fulfilling its mandate of safeguarding Ghana’s borders and combating transnational crime.

“This cowardly attack will not deter us,” he stated firmly.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the borders of our country. Our officers will continue to receive the necessary protective equipment and logistics to enable them to perform their duties effectively.”

The Comptroller-General also appealed to the public to assist the security services with information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for the attack.

The visit formed part of Mr. Amadu’s regional tour of the North East, aimed at assessing operational readiness and boosting morale among frontline officers.

He was accompanied by senior officials including DCOI Maud Anima Quainoo, Head of Public Affairs; Northern Regional Commander DCOI Thomas Adjei; Chief Staff Officer ACOI Gorden Saah; and other top officers.

The Ghana Immigration Service has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with other security agencies to ensure that justice is served and the perpetrators brought to book.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith