North East Regional Minister, Tia Ibrahim, has opened up about an attack on him at the Walewale Palace following the imposition of a curfew amidst tensions and attacks in the area.
Residents have been expressing discontent with the 6 pm to 6 am curfew, asserting that it is an ineffective measure to address the underlying issues of insecurity and crime along the Bawku, Bolga, Walewale, and Tamale highways.
According to the Minister, his vehicle was vandalized, and he was held hostage at the Walewale Palace for over two hours on Saturday.
In an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Ibrahim revealed he was engaging chiefs and relevant stakeholders about the curfew when the incident occurred.
“I was engaging the palace when the youth began massing up. They were outside pelting stones, and we could no longer contain it. My car was vandalized, and I was held hostage in the palace for more than two hours until a joint police and military team came in to rescue me. I had to leave because I was not safe,” he said.
Acknowledging that the escalating insecurity in the area was a result of the ongoing Bawku crisis, Mr. Ibrahim urged calm among residents while searching for lasting solutions.
“We had been managing this issue, but now there is a spillover. We should all tone down and continue the dialogue because there is no one side to this issue. The security agencies are there to enforce law and order,” he stated.
The Minister further emphasized the commitment of the Mahama-led administration to resolve the crisis, which has claimed over 50 lives.
“President Mahama is committed and has initiated peace talks, and if we are able to deal with that, there will be peace,” he noted.
Speaking on how long the curfew will last, Mr. Ibrahim added, “There is relative calm, and if it continues that way, we will engage the ministry to see how we can review it.”
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