North East Regional Minister recounts horrific encounter in Walewale crisis

The North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, has provided a chilling account of the distressing events that occurred during his visit to Walewale, amidst the tensions and violent attacks that have heightened in the town since the imposition of a curfew.

Recounting the details of his ordeal on Adom FM on Monday, February 17, 2025, Ibrahim Tia shared that he visited the chief’s palace to engage key stakeholders on potential solutions and measures to address the escalating insecurity and growing concerns that had emerged in the town.

He explained that the agitated youth, who gathered in large numbers and appeared angered by the curfew imposed on the township, began violently attacking his vehicle.

As a result, he was forced to remain in the palace for more than two hours due to concerns for his safety.

The minister further stated that he was swiftly escorted from the palace to safety by a joint team of police and military personnel, leaving the meeting and engagement unresolved and in limbo.

“I was engaging the palace when the youth began massing up at the WaleWale chief’s palace. They were outside pelting stones, and we could no longer contain it so the police had to come in to enforce law and order. My car had been already vandalized at the time the police arrived.

“I was held hostage in the palace for more than two hours until a joint police and military team came in to rescue me out of the place. I had to leave because I was not safe,” he said.

Ibrahim Tia reaffirmed his commitment to restoring peace and eradicating insecurity in the town, urging calm and the resolution of issues through dialogue.

He emphasised the importance of further engagements to address the concerns. Justifying the presence of the military in the town, he explained that they are there to enforce law and order, protect lives, and prevent the situation from escalating.

“I’m engaging all the relevant stakeholders. We should all tone down and see how we can solve this issue together because there is no one-sided solution to this issue. For now, we have to engage until we all understand the situation and the dynamics that are confronting us. The law enforcement agencies are there to enforce law and order and to save lives and properties,” he added.

The minister’s statement follows the vandalism of his vehicle by angry youth protesting the curfew imposed on Walewale by the Minister of Interior.

The residents argued that the dusk-to-dawn curfew is an ineffective measure, failing to tackle the root causes of insecurity and crime along the Bawku, Bolga, Walewale, and Tamale highways.

MAG/EK

In the meantime, watch as John Jinapor recounts ordeal after leaving office in 2017