By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Ghanaian authorities have arrested two religious figures in connection with inflammatory statements made about Prophet Muhammad, the police service announced Wednesday.
Imam Masud Abdullah, 35, was taken into custody after a video surfaced showing him delivering a sermon at a mosque in Ntensere, located in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of Ghana’s Ashanti Region. In the footage, Abdullah is seen advocating violence against anyone who insults or speaks ill of the Prophet Muhammad.
The arrest was conducted jointly by the Ghana Police Service and the National Signals Bureau (NSB) following an investigation into the content of the sermon.
“Anyone who insults the Prophet Muhammad… he is trying to provoke us… Therefore, wallahi, if you kill him, you haven’t done anything wrong,” Abdullah was heard saying in the video. He further claimed that such an act would be rewarded with entry to paradise.
In a separate operation, police arrested Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, also known as Apostle Daniel JY Adjei, who was captured in a video making derogatory and offensive comments about Prophet Muhammad.
The Ghana Police Service issued a stern warning to religious leaders, preachers, community figures, and social media commentators against using freedom of religion or expression as justification for inciting violence.
“Freedom of religion and freedom of expression must never be used as justification for inciting violence or encouraging members of the public to harm others,” the police statement read.
Authorities confirmed that investigations into both cases are ongoing, and the suspects will face the full legal process.
“Such inciteful utterances constitute infractions and perpetrators will be arrested to face the full rigours of the law,” the statement added.
The arrests come amid growing concerns about the use of religious platforms and social media to spread messages that could provoke violence or encourage attacks on others.
