IGP appeals to chiefs in the northern region to support security forces to ensure violence free elections

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police(COP) Mr John Kudalor is counting on chiefs and opinion leaders in the northern region to use their positions to support the security agencies for violent free elections come November 7 2016.

According to the IGP, the security agencies are ready and will do their part but the support of traditional rulers is key in achieving total peace in the election that has been described by many as crucial in the country.

The IGP made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the paramount Chief of Tamale, the Gulkpe Naa, Alhaji Alhassan Abdulai and the Tamale Dakpema in Tamale, as part of his tour of the northern region.

The Gulkpe Naa, on behalf of the regent of Dagbon, assured the IGP of the chiefs’ support for the security agencies’ quest to ensure peace.

The Gulkpe Naa commended the IGP for his elevation to the highest office in the service. “As Muslims, we wouldn’t like a situation that will warrant curfew to curtail our religious freedom and rest assure that Tamale will be peaceful,” Gulkpe Naa told the IGP.

The chief further assured COP Kudalor and the police hierarchy that the people in the region are peace-loving and will not do anything that will warrant the imposition of a curfew in the area.

The IGP said his outfit will be firm and resolute before, during and after this year’s general elections.

The police administration the IGP said was mandated to provide all the necessary protection to all political parties contesting this year’s elections and will continue engaging their leadership to dialogue for the interest of peace and tranquility in the country.

The IGP, who also inspected the regional command’s logistics and personnel preparedness towards November 7 elections, explained that the goal of his regional tour was to meet with key stakeholders on how to take proactive measures to ensure peaceful elections.

He warned personnel to desist from making partisan political comments reminding them that any officer found engaging in such act will be dealt with accordingly.

Mr. Kudalor was accompanied by the Director-General of Services, Mr.James Oppong-Boanuh, Director-General of Operations, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, Director of Communications, Mr. Amo Ayisi, Director of Public Affairs, Mr.Cephas Arthur, Superintendent Hamza Yabuku-Head of Formed Unit among others.

The IGP had earlier called on the Northern Regional Minister, Abdallah Abubakar, who doubles as the chairman of the regional Security Council at the regional coordinating council, where he reiterated the service’s unreserved commitment in ensuring peaceful elections on November 7 this year.

COP Kudalor told the minister that his outfit is reassessing all the flash-points in the country.

In response, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Abubakar told the IGP that the region for some time now, has earned a very bad name, due to numerous chieftaincy conflicts and hope that the police will continue to provide adequate security to maintain law and order.
He commended the police manning of flash points in the region such as Gushegu, Bimbilla and Bunkpurugu and for their prompt response in addressing issues.

“We have stretched your outfit too much but please bear with us, we are also doing our part to ensure peace with consultations and dialogue,” the minister pleaded with the IGP.