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The Odorkor Police yesterday put their own lives and that of Ghanaians close to the police station in danger as a result of how they handled the arrest of three persons with seven hand-held grenades.

Photos of the arrest show the dangerous weapons placed on a table in the police station.

Sources at the police headquarters have confirmed that grenades are real and can explode.

In the photos, two of the suspects had only one of the hands cuffed while their other hands were free.

If any of the suspects had pulled the pin out of one or more of the grenades with their other hands not in cuffs, all persons in the room, as well as people near the police station, would have been victims of an explosion.

This reckless display of unprofessionalism on the part of the Odorkor Police exposes the weaknesses in the security apparatus of the country.

In addition, the suspects have been accused of belonging to some terrorist groups.

Therefore, the recklessness of the Odorkor Police in making the news public without conducting thorough investigations means that accomplices of the suspects would run away from arrest.

The arrest was carried out after a Police tip-off. 

The first to be arrested was a 30-year-old man whose name was given as Abdul Karim.

He was found armed with seven grenades.

The suspect, after interrogation, led the police to two others, Ishmael Ali Musah and Osman Alhasan, at Nyamekye around Lapaz, a busy district in Accra.

A statement issued by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ASP) David Eklu, Director General of Police Public Affairs, said the police are investigating the matter in collaboration with the relevant agencies, and therefore assured the public to remain calm. Police are continuously working to ensure public safety.

“One of the arrested persons is suspected to be a land guard and a robber while the other two are believed to be the suppliers of the explosives and other arms.

“Police have intercepted some objects believed to be explosives of varied species at Odorkor in Accra.

“The explosives were intercepted based on police intelligence.

“Three persons (names withheld) have also been arrested in connection with the intercepted explosives and are in police custody.

”Police [sic] is investigating the matter in co-ordination with the relevant agencies and, therefore, assures the public to remain calm. Police is continuously working to ensure public safety.

“Anybody with information related to the case under investigation is urged to promptly call 191 (on all networks) or 18555 (on Vodafone and MTN),” the statement said.