The Police Special Operations Unit has arrested 16 suspects in a major crackdown on criminal activities in Tamale, following a surge in violent incidents targeting residents, students, and mobile money vendors. The operation was sanctioned by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Special Operations Commander, ASP Alhaji Jalil, who briefed the media, confirmed that the suspects — nine males and seven females — were rounded up during a raid on a hideout at Nyohini, a suburb of Tamale.

According to him, the arrests form part of a coordinated response to rising incidents of armed robbery, stabbings, break-ins, and drug-related offences in the Northern Regional capital.

“There have been violent crimes in recent times. We’ve recorded attacks on mobile money vendors, attacks on students of UDS, break-ins where laptops and belongings were taken, stabbings, and the sale of hard drugs like ‘red’ and tramadol,” ASP Jalil said.

He revealed that civil society groups and opinion leaders had petitioned the IGP over the worsening security situation, prompting the deployment of the Special Operations Unit to support the Regional Police Command.

“These people raised concerns and the IGP, in his wisdom, deployed the special operations team to augment the strength of the regional team to fight the menace,” he explained.

The commander said the team has been operating in the region for weeks, gathering intelligence and tracking criminal networks.

“We know where the criminals operate. We are in the Northern Region and our presence is felt,” he added.

ASP Jalil warned individuals involved in criminal activities that the police would pursue them relentlessly.

“We will track you down, no matter where you hide,” he said, urging the public to cooperate with investigators.

The suspects, he noted, will remain in police custody and will be processed for court.

ASP Jalil also expressed concern over the growing fear among residents, especially mobile money vendors who have begun closing early due to repeated attacks.

“It has come to light that many people are now living in fear. Mobile money vendors are closing early, others refusing to operate. We are sending a clear message: the IGP says no to crime, and the Special Operations Team says no to crime,” he stated.

He assured the public that the operation will continue until peace and normalcy are fully restored in Tamale.