The Central North Regional Police Command has debunked reports that a phone dealer and elder of the Pentecost Church, Albert Ogoe, was kidnapped by unknown persons at Nyankumase Ahenkuro in the Assin South District.
Mr Ogoe was reportedly said to have been kidnapped on 4 October 2026, with his alleged abductors demanding GH¢200,000 as ransom for his release.
However, the Central North Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu, has clarified that Mr Ogoe was not kidnapped but was arrested by personnel from the Police Intelligence Unit at the National Police Headquarters in connection with an alleged GH¢200,000 fraud case.
According to him, Mr Ogoe was arrested at his hideout to assist with investigations into the alleged fraud and was subsequently taken to Accra.
Chief Superintendent Agyemang Badu explained that during the investigation and at the point of arrest the police team asked Mr Ogoe to contact his family and inform them of his arrest and the reason behind it.
He said Mr Ogoe was, however, reluctant to contact his family because he is a church elder and was concerned that news of his involvement in the case could become public.
The police subsequently used his phone to contact his wife and informed her that he had been arrested in connection with the alleged fraud case.
However, the family later reported at another police station that Mr Ogoe had been kidnapped by unknown persons, resulting in the spread of reports of his alleged abduction.
The Central North Regional Police Command has since debunked the kidnapping claim, urging the public to disregard the reports.
The police have also called for calm and assured residents of their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the area
