The campaign trail turned perilous for Alhaji Mohammed Frimpong, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Party (NDP), and his team as they were ambushed by armed men late Tuesday night in the Bono Region. The incident, which unfolded around 11 p.m. on November 26, occurred as the team traveled between Nsakaw and Wenchi, returning from a campaign tour in Namasa within the Tain Constituency.
According to Evans Ofori, the Bono Regional Chairman of the NDP, the convoy was attacked by a group of armed individuals wearing masks who fired indiscriminately at them. The sudden assault caused minor injuries to some team members due to shattered glass from the vehicle’s windows.
Detailing the harrowing experience, Ofori recounted that the team had initially assumed the barrier ahead was manned by police officers. Earlier in the day, they had encountered a legitimate police checkpoint at the same location. However, as they approached, it became evident that the individuals were not law enforcement.
“We saw armed men in masks who started firing at us. We had to reverse quickly, but our vehicle screens were hit and damaged. Fortunately, no one suffered serious injuries except for cuts from the broken glass,” Ofori stated.
The situation could have escalated further, but the swift response of the police patrol team likely averted a tragedy. “Within a short time after the attack, police patrol officers arrived and escorted us to Wenchi, where we filed a statement at the station,” he explained.
Ofori commended the professionalism and courage of the police officer who was part of their convoy, emphasizing that his actions were instrumental in ensuring the safety of everyone on board. “Our flagbearer and the team are all safe, and we are grateful for the prompt intervention of the police,” he concluded.
The attack underscores the challenges and risks political candidates and their teams face while campaigning, particularly in remote areas. The police are expected to investigate the incident thoroughly to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of all political actors as the election season intensifies.
