A Church of Pentecost elder and phone dealer reported to have been kidnapped in the Central Region was instead arrested by police over an alleged GH¢200,000 fraud case, authorities have clarified. CitiNewsroom.com
The man, identified as Albert Ogoe, was initially reported to have been abducted by unidentified persons at Nyankumase Ahenkuro in the Assin South District on October 4, 2026.
Reports surrounding the incident claimed that his alleged kidnappers were demanding GH¢200,000 for his release, prompting concern among residents and his family.
However, the Central North Regional Police Command has rejected the kidnapping account.
Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu, the Central North Regional Crime Officer, said Ogoe was arrested by personnel from the Police Intelligence Unit at the National Police Headquarters in connection with an alleged fraud case.
According to the police, officers located Ogoe at a hideout and arrested him to assist with investigations before taking him to Accra.
The police said officers asked him to contact his family and explain that he had been arrested. However, he reportedly hesitated because he feared that news of his alleged involvement in the case would become public due to his position as a church elder.
Police subsequently used his phone to contact his wife and inform her about the arrest.
The family later reported the matter at another police station as a suspected kidnapping, leading to the circulation of reports about his alleged abduction.
The Central North Regional Police Command has since urged the public to disregard the kidnapping reports and remain calm as investigations continue.
