The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the National Signals Bureau (NSB), has arrested two individuals over separate videos containing comments deemed inciteful and offensive towards Prophet Mohammed.
The arrests form part of ongoing efforts by the security agencies to prevent statements capable of provoking religious tensions, inciting violence or threatening public peace.
The first suspect, identified as Masud Abdullah, 35, is an Imam who was arrested in connection with a video in which he allegedly made statements advocating violence against persons who speak ill of Prophet Mohammed.
According to information available to the Police, Masud Abdullah is alleged to have made the comments while delivering a sermon at a mosque at Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region.
The Police said his statements, which were captured on video, prompted investigations by the security agencies and subsequently led to his arrest.
In a related development, the Police’s Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team has also arrested Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, alias Apostle Daniel JY Adjei.
He was arrested after he was allegedly seen in a video making derogatory and offensive comments about Prophet Mohammed.
The Police did not disclose further details about the circumstances surrounding the second suspect’s comments but said investigations into both cases are ongoing.
The two suspects are expected to be taken through the due process of the law as investigations continue.
The Ghana Police Service has used the development to caution religious leaders, preachers, community leaders and social media commentators against making statements that could encourage violence or hostility towards others.
The Service stressed that constitutional freedoms, including freedom of religion and freedom of expression, do not provide justification for inciting violence or encouraging members of the public to harm others.
The Police warned that inciteful utterances capable of threatening public safety or encouraging violence constitute infractions of the law and that persons responsible would be arrested and prosecuted.
The Service therefore urged the public to exercise restraint when discussing sensitive religious matters, particularly on social media and other public platforms.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the potential of inflammatory religious content circulated online to trigger tensions and undermine peaceful coexistence among communities.
The Police said it would continue to monitor such activities and take appropriate action against individuals whose conduct crosses the line from lawful expression into incitement to violence.
Both cases remain under investigation, with the suspects expected to face the full rigours of the law if found to have committed offences.
By 1960news.com
