Regional News of Saturday, 23 July 2016

Source: Fiila Fm

Police to deal with law breakers ahead of December elections

By: Saaka Alhassan, Tamale

The Northern regional Police Command says it will deal ruthlessly with anybody who tries to mar the peace of the region before, during and after the upcoming election.

The command has also reiterated its readiness to disarm all vigilante groups in the northern region.

DCOP Ken Yeboah made these statements at an encounter with the media and political parties as well as other stakeholders to discuss and establish a common platform of stakeholders for cordial interaction ahead of this year's election.

The meeting also gave the stakeholders the opportunity to express their expectation of the security in the region.

He gave the assurance that the security will behave professionally and will be ready to cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful election in the region.

Ken Yeboah also disclosed that the Northern Police Command has established a political desk at the Northern regional police Headquarters to address concerns of political parties and other stakeholders.

DCOP Yeboah also instructed all districts and divisional commands to set political desks to address grievances of stakeholders before, during and after the 2016 general election.

He advised political parties and the media to avoid making unsubstantiated allegations and stay away from comments that are likely to inflame passions and cause violence in the country.

He therefore called for a collaborative effort to ensure a peaceful election.

Regional Minister's brother under police investigation

By: Saaka Alhassan, Tamale

The Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ken Yeboah has disclosed that the brother of the Northern regional Minister, Abubakari Iddrissu who allegedly masterminded the political violence between supporters of the Opposition New Patriotic Party and the NDC has been arrested.

He told the media that the case has since been transferred to the regional headquarters for further investigations. Supporters of the two main political parties clashed in Walewale Township last week where two youth groups simultaneously launched their campaign activities.

These are the NPP's Bawumia Youth for Change and the NDC's Zaadiaya Youth group fronting for the Northern regional Minister who doubles as the party's Parliamentary candidate for Walewale constituency.

One Abubakari Iddrissu who is the brother of the Northern Regional minister according to reports allegedly masterminded the violence.

The opposition NPP in a press conference accused the NDC and the Northern regional Minister of stockpiling arms to cause mayhem in the upcoming election, an accusation the NDC has since denied.

But addressing political parties and the media in the region on how to establish a common platform to share vital information on how to ensure a peaceful election in the country, DCOP Yeboah said most of the allegations are unsubstantiated and unfounded.

He stated that the complainant has refused to assist the police in their investigation until the suspect is kept into custody.

He said the case is not a non-bailable offence explaining that even now murder cases are bailable.

According to DCOP Ken Yeboah the suspect statement is inconsistent with the evidence on the ground and the police is yet to verify the medical report of the complainant.




















Saaka Alhassan
News Editor
Fiila Fm