Political leaders told not to interfere in police duties

Tamale, July 4, GNA - Assistant Commissioner of Police, Angwubutoge Awuni, Northern Regional Police Commander, has cautioned political, traditional and opinion leaders in the Tamale Metropolis to desist from interfering in the official duties of the police. He said, people of high standing in the Metropolis had been noted for interfering in matters of the police, when they turn up to plead for people, who had committed offences and warned that his administration would not tolerate such interferences.

ACP Awuni, gave the warning when Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina, Northern Regional Minister paid a familiarization visit to the offices of the police in Tamale on Friday.

The Regional Minister also visited the Immigration Service, the Prisons Service, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, the Fire Service and the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI). Mr Awuni noted that recently as a result of interferences by some chiefs in some stealing incidents, two suspects had committed suicide, which he said could have been avoided.

He assured that the police would be professional and live up to their responsibilities and therefore asked traditional authorities in particular to direct all criminal activities to the police and not take matters into their hands.

Mr Nayina on his part urged the police to maintain absolute neutrality and not let their political affiliations becloud their minds in the discharge of their duties.

He observed that motor riders in the Metropolis did not obey road traffic regulations. According to him the riders did not wear helmets and therefore charged the Motor Traffic and Transport Union (MTTU) of the police to ensure sanity on the roads.

He urged the police to also develop cordial relationship with the people so that the public could give them the necessary information to enhance their work.