Murder, robbery cases increase in Northern Region

The Northern Region (N/R) recorded 50 murder cases and 51 armed robbery cases in 2016, an increase over the previous year’s record, of 45 for murder and 41 for robbery.

The Region also recorded 25 rape cases in 2016 as against 17 cases in 2015 while defilement cases dropped from 67 in 2015 to 38 in 2016.

It also recorded 83 cases of causing unlawful harm in 2016 compared to 86 of such cases in 2015 while other crimes stood at 2,999 in 2016 as against 2,201 of such cases in 2015.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Patrick Adusei Sarpong, Regional Police Commander announced the figures during this year’s West Africa Soldiers Social Activities (WASSA) celebrations of the Regional Command in Tamale.

The event was also used as a send-off party for the former Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Ken Yeboah, who is now the Ashanti Regional Police Commander.

ACP Sarpong said there were also 312 road accidents in 2016 where 135 people were killed and 560 sustained injuries as against 259 road accidents in 2015 out of which 108 people were killed and 446 sustained injuries.

He said the number of police personnel in the Region was inadequate compared to its high population calling on all to collaborate with the Service to deliver on its core mandate since policing was a shared responsibility.

He emphasised: “We stand to uphold high professionalism devoid of behavioural tendencies that tend to dent our hard earned image.”

He, therefore, urged police personnel to be tactful and professional and work very hard to ensure law and order in the region.

ACP Sarpong commended DCOP Yeboah for initiating the ongoing construction of a 160 seating capacity auditorium at the Regional Police Headquarters and fencing of the Tamale Police Barracks as well as the professional manner he discharged his duties.

DCOP Yeboah, whose speech was read on his behalf, expressed gratitude to police personnel in the Region amongst other stakeholders for their support during his tenure.

He urged them to offer same support to the new Commander to succeed.

Mr Salifu Saeed, the Regional Minister encouraged senior officers to shepherd the young ones to uphold professionalism whilst discharging their duties.

Mr Saeed commended the Police Service in the region especially the former Commander for ensuring law and order.

He said government was working to address especially accommodation challenges of the Police Service to boost their morale.