Soldiers deployed to EOCO as NPP supporters continue to gather over Wontumi’s arrest

A number of soldiers have been deployed to the premises of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra as New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters continue to gather following the arrest of the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The arrest, which took place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, prompted a swift reaction from party supporters who thronged EOCO’s headquarters to show solidarity.

A video shared by Citi FM 97.3 captures a chaotic scene with a significant crowd, some holding up phones to record the events, and security personnel, including soldiers, managing the situation.

Some of the party supporters are heard expressing their displeasure over Wontumi’s arrest, while others sought to tag the arrest as politically motivated.

“Soldiers step in as crowd swells during EOCO’s arrest of Chairman Wontumi,” the video by Citi FM is captioned.

A section of the video shows some pickup trucks filled with soldiers dressed in Ghana Armed Forces uniforms being driven into the yard of EOCO.

Chairman Wontumi was detained by EOCO after reporting to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service earlier on Tuesday. He was invited by the CID on Monday over ongoing investigations into allegations of illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey, and other related charges.

This development follows a series of events, including a failed attempt by security operatives to arrest Wontumi on Friday, May 23, 2025, which had already heightened tensions within the party and among its supporters.

The military deployment at EOCO is believed to be a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and maintain order.