Some youth in Tamale have taken to the streets to protest the recall of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team, popularly known as the Black Maria, from the Northern Region.
Deployed last year to curb a surge in armed robberies and violent crime, the tactical unit has been credited with a dramatic improvement in public safety.
Protesters and residents alike argue that the team’s removal threatens the fragile peace established over the last several months.
“The team’s presence has not only sanitised the area but has reduced crime to the barest minimum,” a youth leader stated during the demonstration.
“The issues of drug use and sale have also reduced, making the region safe.”
Residents describe the period of the team’s deployment as transformative for daily life. The enhanced security presence has reportedly restored freedom of movement, particularly after dark.
One resident highlighted the shift in routine: “I’m free to roam late into the night because of the presence of the team. I used to be home by 7 pm, but now I can roam and come home at 12 and not worry about being attacked.”
Another echoed this sentiment, adding, “There are some areas you couldn’t walk through at night after 8 pm, but now you can even roam till the next morning and be safe.”
While the police administration has yet to issue an official statement regarding the tactical reasons for the redeployment, the protesters allege the recall stems from pressure by unidentified politicians and traditional authorities uncomfortable with the unit’s operations.
The demonstration saw charged emotions, with one protester declaring, “Anyone who does not want the Black Maria team in Tamale is evil.”
Another issued a direct plea to the police leadership: “For the sake of the region’s future, we are begging the IGP to let the team stay.”
In addition to the street protests, a significant social media campaign has been launched, urging the police administration to reverse its decision and maintain the team’s presence in the region to ensure continued safety for its citizens.
