Violence in Tamale is being contained – Kumbuor

Interior Minister Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor has told Citi News that the volatile situation in the Tamale Metropolis is being contained by security forces on the ground with backing from the Brong Ahafo and Upper East Regions.

On Tuesday March 29, irate members of the Andani Royal Gate who are also members of the NDC, set the Northern Regional party office ablaze following the acquittal and discharge of 14 persons who were standing trial for the murder of the overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II.

The NDC’s Tamale Central constituency office was also attacked, but because it is a rented building, files and other documents were collected and burnt.

Dozens of Andani youth, who claim they joined the NDC because of the party’s promise in the run up to the 2008 elections to prosecute the killers of the Yaa Naa, have threatened to cause further destruction and attack members of the Abudu gate.
Later at about 9:00pm Tuesday night, an Andani middle-aged man was killed amidst rioting by angry youth, according to Citi FM’s Northern Regional Correspondent, Abdul Karim Naatogmah.

It is not clear who or what killed the man, but eyewitnesses told Citi News he was shot by soldiers who were struggling to control the rampaging youth who continued to burn down several properties.

Consequently, the Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) imposed a curfew on the Tamale Metropolis as an interim measure to curtail the rising tension.

The curfew started at 11:00pm but it is unclear when it is supposed to end.

Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor said although there is relative calm in Tamale security has been beefed up to curtail a possible escalation in the coming days.

He said security will be extended to Yendi to restrain a possible spill over of the violence since Abudus and Andanis live there as well.

“We are very clear in our review of the situation about possible targets that might take place between now and tomorrow and we are taking all necessary steps to secure those targets” he noted.

The Interior Minister indicated that Government will consider its options after a thorough study of the ruling.

“One has not seen the ruling, so one cannot tell what exactly the considerations were that informed the dismissal and acquittal. So we would want to wait and see what went into that ruling. What is of immediate concern now is to make sure that we bring under control the fallouts that is emanating from the ruling. We will wait to hear from the Attorney General” he said.

Source: Citifmonline.com