Some youth of Tamale have expressed their deep dissatisfaction over the sudden removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Special Taskforce currently operating in the Northern Region.
The taskforce have been in the region since November 2025 to combat the prevalence of illicit drugs, particularly tramadol, and the growing incidents of armed robbery in the area.
However, it turned out on Thursday, March 5, 2026, that some prominent politicians from the region have called on the IGP to withdraw his men from the region with immediate effect.
This development has left dozens of people, particularly the youth and women, frustrated and disdained about politicians in the region.
Consequently, the youth turned out in their numbers Thursday night to protest against the decision of the government and the interference of the political class.
Hundreds of them (youth) on motorbikes March to some traditional and religious leaders and the Mayor of Tamale to swiftly intervene for the decision to be reversed.
They believe the move is politically motivated and accused some politicians in the area of prioritising votes over the wellbeing of the youth.
They maintained that the devastation caused to a section of the youth as a result of substance abuse cannot be underestimated.
The Tamale Chief Executive in his address, said the operations of the task force have brought so much sanity to the area.
He promised that the Metro Security Council will write formally to the IGP to redeploy the team back to the region.
He further addressed fears that the presence of the task force was making the governing National Democratic Congress unpopular in the region, emphasising that there’s no way their operations could endanger the political fortunes of the party.
Subsequently, the youth also stormed the Global Dream Hotel where the group are lodging, appealing to the team to stay back and continue their operations.
However, the leader of the team, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abdul Jalil Bawah, called for calm amidst the growing anxiety among the general public.
He highlighted the commitment of the team to serve in any part of the nation when the need arises.
He noted the operations of the team have been very impactful since they arrived in the Northern Region.
He emphasised there has been a drastic reduction in the crime rate as well as the sale and usage of illicit drugs, especially tramadol.
Meanwhile, there is an online campaign to petition to the Office of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, against the decision to recall the team back to Accra.
As at the time of filing this report, Friday morning, the team has departed the northern region for Accra.
