Residents of Danfa and Addo-Teiman in the Madina Constituency, Greater Accra, have raised alarm over alleged violent land seizures by Benjamin Ashie Nikoi, a self-proclaimed chief accused of leading armed “landguards.”
Locals claim Nikoi invokes a disputed court judgment to justify demolishing homes, attacking workers, and terrorizing residents, including church worshipers.
At a weekend press conference, spokesperson Yao Segbawo accused Nikoi of brandishing a firearm at a resident and cited police inaction, alleging collusion.
They expressed strong suspicion of collusion between Ben Ashie Nikoi and police officers at the Danfa, Ayi-Mensah, and Adentan stations, citing lack of arrests despite numerous reports
“Police claim Ben ‘owns the land’ and lets him act freely,” Segbawo stated.
The human cost of the alleged landguard activities was starkly illustrated through the harrowing testimonies of victims.
Yao Segbawo, a visibly distressed resident, shared a chilling account of a recent encounter with the accused landguard leader. “Just three days ago,” he recounted, “Ben Ashie himself pulled out a gun, pointed it directly at a man working on his building, and threatened to shoot him.”
Mr. Segbawo further expressed his dismay at the alleged response from the Ayi-Mensah Police Station commander, who reportedly dismissed the complaint by stating that Ben Ashie had won a land judgment and was therefore within his rights.
Afutu Neequaye, a victim bore visible scars, recounting how he sustained injuries to his head and hand after being attacked by six identified armed individuals namely; Benjamin Ashie Nikoi, Commey Adjei, William Tetteh, Abborsey Kotei, Fuseini Issaka, and Adjetey On8din allegedly belonging to Nikoi’s gang. He further claimed that the thugs set fire to his home, causing significant property damage and leaving his family vulnerable.
The reach of the alleged terror extends beyond individual properties, as evidenced by the account of Felicia Afutu, a landlady and staff midwife at the Oyibi Health Centre. She detailed a brazen attack on a member of the Addo-Teiman branch of the Methodist Church Ghana, who was targeted right during Sunday School.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of religious institutions. “If they could attack a whole church,” Ms. Afutu lamented, “then the entire community is not safe.”
She reported the incident to the Danfa Police Station, where the Station Officer, identified as Akrofi, reportedly promised to caution Ben Ashie. However, the alleged terrorizing activities have continued unabated.
Adding to the community’s anxieties is the alleged tactic employed by the landguards of falsely identifying themselves as officers from the National Security during their operations.
“When did the National Security obtain authority to demolish buildings?” questioned the convener of the press conference, highlighting the confusion and fear this deception sows among residents.
Residents suspect Nikoi exploits a Teshie family’s (Afutu Brempong) court victory—despite no familial ties—to mask illegal operations. They also accused his gang of impersonating National Security agents during raids. “If they attack a church, no one is safe,” Afutu warned.
Faced with what they perceive as a failure of local law enforcement to protect them, the residents have made a fervent and public appeal to the highest echelons of national security.
Their plea is directed towards the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu, and the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohamed-Mubarak, urging them to urgently intervene and restore peace and order to their communities before the situation deteriorates further.
They fear the situation will spiral out of control if swift action is not taken. Meanwhile, victims allege police indifference, with Danfa’s Station Officer Akrofi failing to curb Nikoi’s reign of terror.
The residents are demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged activities of Ben Ashie Nikoi and his gang, as well as an inquiry into the conduct of the local police in handling their complaints. Their
voices resonated with a desperate hope that higher authorities will heed their cries for protection and bring an end to the alleged reign of terror that has disrupted their lives and instilled fear in their once peaceful communities.
