Police station attacked over arrest of NPP Executive in Sawla

A group of irate youth wielding sticks and cutlasses burst into the Sawla police station in the Northern region Wednesday night, attacking police officers and threatened to torch the building after a local executive of the ruling New Patriotic Party was arrested and taken into custody following a confrontation with an officer over a woman.

Residents said Adamu Sakara (SK), the NPP Youth Organizer in the constituency was picked up for allegedly attacking a police officer at his private residence having suspected the law enforcement agent was in an amorous relationship with his fiancée.

The officer who was also attacked by a section of the youth received medical attention at the Bole Government Hospital.

The local assembly representative for Sawla East where the police station is located, Yakubu Issahaku said the lady caught allegedly sleeping with the officer is a community police recruit working in the charge office and also known betrothed of the NPP Youth Organizer.

According to the assemblyman, the officer managed to call for help and about a dozen of armed officers arrived to his rescue. The NPP Youth Organizer was later arrested and put behind bars but a few moments later, the youth regrouped and attacked the police station to free Sakara from lawful custody.

An eye witness who filmed the attack and shared the footage with Starr News said the angry youth, scores of them, were members of the NPP and armed with clubs.

The youth pelted stones at the officers at the station before the situation was brought under control following the firing of warning shots.

The District Chief Executive, Lawal Tamimu, is captured in the video trying to calm nerves but left when the melee intensified.

The Sawla/Tuna/Kalba district police commander, ASP O.K Boateng confirmed the attack but described it as “a small skirmish” which did not escalate.

He declined to elaborate, saying he needed to report the incident to the regional commander before speaking to the press.

In January this year, four officers were attacked with one sustaining injuries after they went to Kporju to arrest a resident accused of rustling cows.