The Ghana Police Service has arrested two persons in separate incidents over alleged inciteful and offensive religious comments.

The arrests were carried out in collaboration with the National Signals Bureau (NSB) and the Police Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team.

In the first case, police arrested 35-year-old Masud Abdullah, an Imam, over a video in which he allegedly advocated violence against people who speak ill of a revered religious figure.

According to the Police, information available to the Service indicates that the comments were made during a sermon at a mosque at Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region.

In a separate development, the Police Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team arrested Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, also known as Apostle Daniel JY Adjei.

He was arrested over a video in which he was allegedly seen making derogatory and offensive religious comments.

The Police said investigations into both cases are ongoing and that the suspects will be taken through due process.

Police caution against religious incitement

The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public, particularly religious leaders, preachers, community leaders and social media commentators, against using freedom of religion or expression as a basis for inciting violence.

The Service stressed that freedom of religion and freedom of expression must not be used to encourage people to harm others.

It warned that utterances that incite violence constitute offences and that persons found engaging in such conduct would be arrested and prosecuted.

The Police also urged the public to exercise responsibility when expressing views on religious and other sensitive matters, particularly on social media.