Nineteen persons, including three military personnel, have been arrested in Tamale by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team as part of intensified security operations aimed at combating criminal activities.

The offences targeted include robbery, kidnapping, drug peddling, sexual offences, attacks on mobile money vendors and other related crimes.

A police brief issued on Thursday said the operation was conducted on January 19, at the Kamina Barracks enclave, Aboabo Market and the Water Works area in Tamale.

It said seven persons arrested at Aboabo Market for possessing quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were Ikram Abdul Razak, Farouk Nhim, Issah Mohammed, Abulai Fuseini, Umaru Zulkarina, Mohammed Marawu and Shaibu Ibrahim.

Another seven suspects were arrested at the Kamina Barracks enclave for possessing dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and Koffex Syrup.

They are Sim Michael, Abdul Lasa, Iddi Suaya, Franklina Owusu, Albert Anafo, Sadiq Alhassan and Ziblina Muntalla.

The brief said three persons who claimed to be military personnel were also arrested in the same area for possession and use of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

Following the verification of their identities, the three military personnel were handed over to the Military Police Command for further action.

The remaining suspects have been handed over to the Sakasaka Police Station, where they are being detained pending further investigations.

All exhibits have been secured for forensic examination and evidential purposes.

The team also arrested one Alhassan Abdul Shakaun for possessing “Royal 225,” an illegal drug.

The police said the proactive operations would continue to enhance public confidence in the Ghana Police Service and ensure a safer environment for residents.

In a related development, the IGP Special Operations Team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bawah Abdul Jalil, paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of Tamale Technical University (TaTU).

During the meeting, DSP Jalil stressed the need for stronger collaboration between educational institutions and the Ghana Police Service

He assured the university authorities of the team’s commitment to addressing identified security challenges.

Professor Bashiru Immoro Iden Saed, Vice-Chancellor of TaTU, and the University’s Head of Security, Retired Warrant Officer Class One (WOI) Akanteba Lawson, welcomed the team.

Professor Saed commended the team for its proactive efforts in maintaining law and order in Tamale and its environs and highlighted theft as one of the key security challenges facing the university.

He, therefore, called for enhanced security interventions and increased police presence to protect students, staff and institutional property.