The Ghana Police Service has arrested a 35-year-old imam, Masud Abdullah, following the circulation of a video in which he allegedly advocated the killing of anyone who insults or speaks against Prophet Muhammad.
Abdullah was arrested in a joint operation involving the Ghana Police Service and the National Signals Bureau (NSB) after authorities reviewed the video and determined that his remarks could potentially incite violence against individuals perceived to have offended Muslims.
The imam reportedly made the controversial statements while delivering a sermon at a mosque in Ntensere, located in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of Ghana’s Ashanti Region.
In the video, Abdullah allegedly argued that killing a person who insults Prophet Muhammad would not amount to wrongdoing. He further claimed that anyone who killed such a person would be rewarded with paradise.
The remarks have raised concerns over the potential use of religious platforms and social media to promote violence or encourage attacks against individuals or groups.
Pastor Also Arrested
In a separate but related case, the Ghana Police Service said its Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team arrested Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, popularly known as Apostle Daniel JY Adjei.
Adjei was allegedly captured in another video making derogatory and offensive comments about Prophet Muhammad.
The police said investigations into both cases are ongoing and that the suspects would be processed in accordance with Ghanaian law.
Police Warn Religious and Community Leaders
Reacting to the incidents, the Ghana Police Service cautioned religious leaders, preachers, community leaders and social media commentators against using freedom of religion or expression as a justification for statements capable of provoking violence.
The police stressed that freedom of religion and freedom of expression do not protect statements intended to incite members of the public to harm others.
The authorities warned that inflammatory statements capable of encouraging violence could amount to criminal offences under Ghanaian law, adding that individuals found responsible would be arrested and prosecuted.
The arrests come amid growing concerns in Ghana and elsewhere about the spread of inflammatory religious content through sermons and social media platforms.
The police said investigations into the two cases would continue as the authorities work to prevent statements capable of escalating religious tensions or triggering violence.
