Until the arrest of 34-year-old Edward Kwabena Botri, residents of Mataheko in Accra had for the past three years mistaken him for a military officer.
Not only did he parade as a military officer in the area, but he also threatened and harassed the residents and on a number of occasions assaulted some of them.
The suspect, who was usually seen in a military uniform, is said to have always brandished a gun which he fired in the night and sometimes during the day.
On Thursday, July 10, 2014, he cut power supply to about 18 houses in the area to express his anger towards them.
At about 3 p.m. on that day, some residents who were fed up with Botri reported him to the Odorkor Police.
Electrical wire cut
The Odorkor District Police Commander, Superintendent of Police, Mr Abraham Acquaye, said when the people questioned Botri for cutting their electrical wires, he invited three of his friends to join him to harass the neighbours.
Botri and his accomplices were alleged to have fired gun shots indiscriminately.
When police went to arrest him, he saluted them and claimed he was a security officer.
Corps Trainer
He, however, started fumbling when he was interrogated on the unit he belonged to in the Ghana Armed Forces.
Following a search in his house military accoutrements such as boots, belts, belt hooks, line yarns, a camouflage bag and pieces of wood shaped as guns were found.
The Odorkor Commander said Botri had been harassing his neighbours for the past three years under the pretence that he was a soldier.
During interrogation, he admitted that he was a cadet corps trainer and not a soldier.
The three friends, who are yet to be identified, are currently at large.
Source: Daily Graphic