Olele Salvador, a prominent Ghanaian pop culture journalist and TV Host with 3Music TV, has entreated members of the general public to be wary of dismissing reports on the alleged kidnapping of Albert Nat Hyde, also known as Bongo Ideas.
Reports emerged last Friday of Bongo Ideas being apprehended by security agencies. Oliver Barker-Vormawor, convener of Fix The Country, linked his arrest to recent information released by Bongo Ideas concerning President Akufo-Addo and First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
Allegedly, Bongo Ideas‘ family searched through all police stations in Accra but could not locate him.
According to Barker-Vormawor, when Bongo Ideas was initially picked up forcefully, the family insisted they would not let him be taken again without them.
In a post on Facebook, he said the police eventually agreed to allow the family to join, only to drop them off around the Tesano Police Station.
They “seized their phones, and told them to go and make a report at the Tesano Police station,” he said.
However, both the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of National Security have refuted claims of arresting Bongo Ideas.
Following these reports, the police stated that they have “contacted a relative who has confirmed that Bongo Ideas is at home.”
Despite the Police’s statement, Olele Salvador remains skeptical, noting that there could be an abuse of power as seen in Ghana by those with authority.
“But the police and the national security released press statements to deny their involvement in Bongo Ideas pick up or? Lol! E do aaa, niggas dey forget the typa mess we are in as citizens vs the abuse of power. Make you people wake up. This isn’t just about Bongo Ideas,” he wrote.
Renowned activist and leader of the #FixTheCountry and #OccupyJulorbiHouse movements, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has provided an update on the alleged kidnapping of Albert Nat Hyde, also known as Bongo Ideas.
According to Barker-Vormawor, when Bongo Ideas was initially picked up forcefully, the family insisted they would not let him be taken again without them.
In a post on Facebook, he said the police eventually agreed to allow the family to join, only to drop them off around the Tesano Police Station.
They “seized their phones, and told them to go and make a report at the Tesano Police station,” he said.
He noted that “the police claim now to be investigating the circumstances under which unidentified individuals, presenting themselves as acting under the color of law enforcement, came to break in and pick up Albert the first time in the presence of his family.”
Mr Vormawor disclosed that Albert had already filed a formal police complaint about the events of the previous night, and the police were aware of his complaint well before they released their statement.
“While I have received an account from the Family and Albert himself of exactly what happened to him, I will refrain from discussing it publicly as it is a matter of live police investigation. There are a lot of things that need unraveling; and I am sure Albert himself will addresss what happened to him. My understanding however is that, at this time, his devices were confiscated from him, (phones and computer) and he has no access to his social media accounts.
“I do hope that the Police are able to get to the bottom of this; and that Albert’s account of what happened to him are thoroughly investigated,” he added.