12 Suspects Arrested by Police for Looting in Tamale and Damaging Property in Damongo and Other Areas

The police have apprehended 12 individuals in connection with looting in Tamale and property damage in Damongo following the 2024 presidential election.

The disturbances in Tamale began shortly after Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, conceded defeat to National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama. A group of youths, reportedly wearing NDC-branded T-shirts, entered the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) premises, where they vandalized property and looted food items from a warehouse.

Eyewitnesses stated that the looters damaged property and seized food supplies that were meant for community distribution. The incident led to unrest in the area, with the police responding swiftly to control the situation.

Similar acts of violence were reported in Damongo and other parts of the region. The police have since arrested 12 individuals suspected to be involved in the looting and property destruction. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the damage and uncover the reasons behind the incidents.

The unrest has raised concerns over the impact of election-related tensions on public safety and order. The police are urging residents to remain calm as they work to resolve the situation and prevent further disturbances.

Below is a copy of the police statement regarding the arrests :

The district office of the Electoral Commission (EC) in the Savannah Region was set on fire following a dispute over the collation of results for the 2024 elections. The EC is currently in the process of finalizing the results for both the presidential and parliamentary elections in the constituency, where Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, is running for re-election as the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP).

The fire, which occurred amidst mounting frustration over delays in the announcement of the election results, has caused significant damage to the EC’s office, temporarily halting the collation process. This incident underscores the growing tensions surrounding the electoral process and the delays in the official declaration of results.

Authorities are investigating the incident, and efforts are being made to restore order in the area. The event has raised concerns about the potential impact of electoral disputes on public order and the integrity of the electoral process.