Northern Regional Police commander, DCOP Ken Yeboah has ordered the closure of the Tamale Aboabo market at 6pm each day.

His directive comes after fire razed the market this dawn, destroying about thirty shops.

Speaking to some market women at the scene of the fire, DCOP Yeboah said “effective today you should announce to the market women that after 6 o’clock nobody should be here. The place should be locked. This is not a residential area.”

He asked the traders to take note of the time because the market will not be opened to anyone after the 6pm curfew.

DCOP Yeboah said the closure will ensure the place is protected from incidents such as robbery and fire outbreaks.

The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, who visited the market, empathised with the traders and directed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to begin a registration of the affected traders in order for government to support them.

In responding to requests made by the traders for security, the Minister assured the traders that appropriate security will be provided but tasked the traders to corporate with them.

The traders on their part assured the minister and the police commander of their preparedness to cooperate with the security services to ensure their safety.

They also requested that vehicle owners who park their vehicles at access routes of the market be arrested and punished.