Youth in Tamale outraged over the withdrawal of the ‘Black Maria Team’

Published by Inusah Dondaliya

6th March 2026

The Youth in Tamale are outraged against the withdrawal of IGP’s Special Operations Team, supporting their efforts to combating drug menace in the Northern Region.

They embarked on a protest across the streets of Tamale in response to a directive from IGP asking the Special Operations Team to abandon its mission in the region.

This has sparked the rage of the youth protesting vehemently against the directive, warning that the drug menace will exacerbate and drain moral fibre of society if the ‘Black Maria’ team quits the fight.

As part of the protest, on Thursday night, 5th March 2026, the angry youth visited some Traditional Rulers and Religious Leaders in Tamale to express their displeasure over the Special Operations Team’s withdrawal, imploring on the Leaders to intervene.

The Youth also called on the Mayor of Tamale, Hon. Abu Takoro at his residence in Lamashegu to weigh into the matter by using his power to reverse the withdrawal.

Before the protest, the youth massed up at the Global Dream Hotel, where the Special Taskforce Team lodges, to show support to their efforts in fighting drug canker all this while and openly oppose their withdrawal from Tamale.

According to the rumor mill, a powerful politician in the Northern Region is displeased with the operations of the team and has meddled into their affairs, ordering the police hierarchy to stop the special operations team from operating in Tamale with immediate effect.