The Ministry of National Security has denied reports that one Benlord Ababio, who allegedly shot and killed a soldier in connection with a land dispute, is a staffer at the ministry.

A statement from the ministry on Wednesday said the public should disregard any news item that portrays the suspect, who is in police custody, as a staff of the ministry.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces, in a separate release, has condemned the killing of its personnel.

The statement, signed by E Aggrey-Quashie, said initial findings indicate L/Cpl Omar Abdul Rahman was embroiled in a land dispute concerning a half plot at Millennium City and the authorities at the Millennium City Police Station had advised the parties to refrain from any activity on the disputed land until the matter was resolved.

“Allegedly, L/Cpl Omar Abdul Rahman was informed some people were working on the land. Accompanied by two of his colleagues – L/Cpl Danso Michael (Deceased) and L/Cpl Ametus Matthew – they visited the land and confirmed the information. L/Cpl Omar Abdul Rahman and his colleagues stopped the people from working and proceeded to the Millennium City Police Station to report the issue.”

"While at the Police Station, the acclaimed owner of the land arrived with 2 others believed to be land guards and confronted the soldiers during which they started firing at the deceased soldier who was going to park a vehicle at the Police Station". 

The army said the police disarmed and arrested the shooter, "after realising L/Cpl Danso had been hit by the rounds fired. The body of the deceased soldier has since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue".

“The general public will be duly informed about the outcome of the investigations in due course,” the army added.

“We reiterate our commitment to maintaining law and order in our communities and urge all citizens to seek peaceful and lawful means to resolve land disputes and to refrain from engaging in acts of violence to prevent such tragic incidents,” the army noted.