Police commander lambast politicians in Northern conflicts

The Northern Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) George Tuffour has lambasted politicians in the Northern Region for their lack of pro-activeness that had resulted in some conflicts in the area.

He said politicians in the area were well aware of the impending conflicts but failed to do anything positive to stop such escalations, but rather wait till the conflicts occur and then ‘you see politicians rushing to the police to plead for the release of suspects arrested’.

“The politicians especially the MPs within the metropolis were aware of the recent conflicts which started simmering about a month ago but nobody cared until it degenerated into this level …..I don’t see why any politician should come and plead for their release”.

DCOP Tuffour who was speaking to the GNA in an interview in Tamale on Wednesday, said the politicians were elected for the people and must concentrate in resolving problems confronting them and not wait till people were killed and properties destroyed before they come to plead and lie on behalf of the suspects just to get them released.

He expressed worry that some politicians came to the police to plead for the release of persons that were arrested yesterday in relation to the conflict that occurred at Yilonaayiri over a parcel of land close to the Tamale Airport.

The dispute that occurred on Tuesday morning resulted in one death and the injuring of four persons with gunshot wounds; the police arrested 29 persons who are still in the custody of the police.

The DCOP called on politicians to desist from pleading for anybody arrested, stressing that, allegations against the police that they were keeping suspects with wounds was untrue and suggested a proactive dialogue in resolving the problems before the chiefs and the people.

The Police Commander said the police was conducting further investigations into the case after which those arrested would be put before court on Thursday.