Ghana diplomatic staff dies after ‘abduction, assault’ in Abuja

Freda Arnong, a staff member of the Ghana High Commission in Abuja, has died after reportedly being abducted and assaulted.

The Ghanaian High Commission confirmed Arnong’s death to TheCable on Wednesday.

”Yes… Ms. Freda Arnong was a Domestic Assistant to the Charge d’Affaires of the High Commission. The Police CID is investigating,” a staff of the commission said.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, had reported that the incident occurred on July 1.

At about 7:00 pm, Arnong was said to have boarded a taxi to Transcorp junction in the city. The taxi was reportedly already occupied by four unidentified men.

Sources close to the Ghanaian mission said the vehicle diverted from the agreed route, and Arnong was later found in critical condition along Airport road by a citizen who rushed her to the National Hospital.

Arnong succumbed to her injuries Monday afternoon, the sources noted.

Zagazola reported that Arnong’s corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy and preservation.

The report said the federal capital territory (FCT) command’s criminal investigation department has begun inquiries into the incident and that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the assailants.

The diplomatic community in Abuja has expressed concern over the incident and is closely monitoring developments.

Josephine Adeh, FCT spokesperson, did not immediately respond to TheCable’s request for comments on the case.