A group calling itself, “Concerned Elephants Youth Association” of the opposition NPP in Tamale has given government a two-week ultimatum to release five of its supporters who were arrested during the campaign period in the 2008 election.

Yahuza Yakubu, Abibu Dagbana, Majeed Alhassan, Alhassan Sayibu and Imoro Gundaana were arrested in the aftermath of a political clash between NPP and NDC youth in front of the old butchers’ house at the Tamale Central Market on February 17, 2009.

The bloody clash resulted in the death of one person perceived to be an NDC sympathizer. In addition 27 houses including cars, motorbikes and other valuables were allegedly burnt in Gumbihini, Choggu and other surrounding communities in the Tamale metropolis. The NPP Group wants government to bring to book persons who burnt down the 27 houses said to belong to NPP sympathizers.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday September 28, the group defied a heavy downpour and hit some principal streets in the business capital city of Tamale in protest against what they described as the unlawful arrest and detention of their members. The protestors in a petition said the detention of the NPP activists is unlawful, since their human rights have been infringed upon.

Spokesperson for the group, Anas Gazeli, in an interview with PeaceFM News, disclosed that through several petitions, press conferences and radio interviews, they have appealed to the government but nothing has been done about the petition.

The group said the victims have been in police custody for almost two years and are calling on the president to launch investigations to ascertain the veracity of the case and help save them from further languishing in police custody. According to him, if the government fails to respond quickly to their plea, they “will advise themselves.”

“…We are telling gov’t that we need speedy trial…we want gov’t to investigate and get those who burnt down the 27 houses…or else we are giving ourselves two weeks ultimatum. If gov’t fails to do, since there are so many ways in killing a cat, then we will advise ourselves…,” he vowed.