Tamale youth protest recall of ‘Black Maria’ police team as commander urges calm
Some youth in Tamale on Thursday night staged a protest against the immediate recall of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team from the Northern Region, warning that the move could reverse recent gains made in the fight against crime.
The special operations unit, popularly known as “Black Maria”, was deployed to the region in 2025 by the Inspector-General of Police to help curb rising cases of drug abuse, robbery and other criminal activities.
Following reports of the team’s redeployment, hundreds of young people converged on the Global Dream Hotel, where members of the unit had been lodging, to appeal to them to rescind the decision.
The protesters also marched through the principal streets of the Tamale metropolis to express their dissatisfaction and later called on the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Abu Takoro, and other opinion leaders to intervene.
Concerns over security gains
The protesters maintained that the operations of the special unit had helped restore law and order while improving public confidence in security within the city and surrounding communities.
They said they believed the decision to withdraw the team might have been influenced by concerns raised by some political actors and traditional authorities regarding the continued presence of the security personnel in the region.
The youth, therefore, appealed to the police administration to reconsider the decision, insisting that the continued presence of the team was crucial to sustaining the improved security situation in the regional capital.
Residents praise operations
Some residents also expressed concern that the withdrawal of the team could undermine the progress made in tackling crime.
A resident, Abdul Rauf Mahama, told Graphic Online that the presence of the team had helped sanitise several areas previously considered crime-prone.
“I am very worried about the redeployment of the team from the metropolis, because we are likely witnessing a surge in criminal activities and all the gains made for the past months will be in vain,” he said.
Another resident, Alhassan Lukman, appealed to Islamic scholars, chiefs and other opinion leaders to support calls for the team to remain in the region.
"We want them to stay and continue their work to ensure that the region is free from crime, especially drug dealing and substance abuse among many other crimes," he added.
Over 1,000 suspects arrested
Since the deployment of the special task force, more than 1,000 suspects have been arrested in connection with illicit substance trading, abuse and other criminal activities.
The operations, which targeted drug peddling hotspots and criminal hideouts across the region, also resulted in several successful prosecutions and the conviction of several offenders.
Addressing a press conference in Tamale, the Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, said the prosecutions had led to fines totalling GH¢938,800 paid to the state by convicts.
He added that the courts had also handed custodial sentences to some offenders, with nine convicted persons currently serving prison terms ranging from 15 months to 15 years for various offences.
According to him, the success of the operations was made possible through close collaboration between the “Black Maria” team and the Northern Regional Police Command, which strengthened police visibility and intelligence-led operations across the region.
Police assure residents
DCOP Lavoe assured residents that although the special operations team had left the region, the command remained committed to sustaining the gains achieved.
He said the regional command would intensify operations, strengthen resource deployment and maintain a strong security presence to continue the fight against drug-related crimes and other criminal activities.
He added that the regional police command had formed a new task force made up of personnel drawn from the 18 districts in the region to continue the operations previously undertaken by the “Black Maria” team.
“We are assuring the youth that their normal activities should go on without fear or panic. We are here to protect them, and we will flush out criminals,” he stated.
He therefore appealed to residents to remain calm and have confidence in the command’s efforts to maintain law and order in the area.
