What was intended to be a peaceful morning of worship and community turned into a high-stakes confrontation in the Tamale Metropolis on Saturday March 21, as police officers from the IGP’s Special Operations Team were forced to intervene during a volatile road traffic incident.
The drama unfolded near the Mariam Hotel intersection during the peak of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. As thousands of worshippers dispersed from major prayer grounds including St. Paul’s and the Northern School of Business, the city’s arteries became choked with human and vehicular traffic.
According to an official statement released by Team Commander DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil, the situation escalated when a commercial coastal bus (registration GS–7420–22) deliberately obstructed a critical three-junction intersection.
Despite the gridlock, the driver later identified as Mr. Ibrahim Issah reportedly refused to move, ignoring audible signals from frustrated commuters.
When confronted by the Special Operations Team, the situation took a dark turn.
“I have only one life to live; if you want, you can kill me, I will never move back,” Issah allegedly shouted, according to the police report.
The standoff intensified as the driver barricaded himself inside the vehicle, locking all doors and rolling up the windows.
Witnesses and officers state that the suspect began hurling politically charged remarks at the police, reportedly shouting, “President Mahama will go and then we will see our sizes; we will know who is bigger than who.”
These divisive comments, made in a highly congested and “charged” environment, nearly sparked a riot.
Incensed by the driver’s arrogance and the prolonged delay, bystanders and other road users began threatening to set the bus ablaze.
In a display of tactical restraint, the Special Operations Team worked to de-escalate the mob while simultaneously trying to gain access to the barricaded driver.
After a persistent refusal to comply with lawful orders, officers managed to slide open a rear window to enter the vehicle.
A brief struggle ensued as the suspects Mr. Ibrahim Issah and Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed resisted arrest.
The police were forced to act as a human shield for the suspects, protecting them from an angry crowd that attempted to assault them as they were being moved to a police cruiser.
The suspects were transported to the Sakasaka Police Station, where it was revealed they are the sons of a prominent local contractor, popularly known as Alhaj Savanna.
Upon arriving at the station and being briefed on the gravity of his sons’ behavior including the obstruction of justice and the use of inflammatory language the contractor facilitated a reconciliation.
The police report confirms the suspects did not dispute the facts of the incident.
They rendered an unqualified apology to the police team and their father.
The suspects were released into their father’s custody following his personal assurances.
The incident has sparked a conversation regarding indiscipline and the dangerous intersection of traffic offenses and political rhetoric.
DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil noted that the case highlights the immense challenges officers face when managing high-density public events, particularly when individuals attempt to weaponize partisan tension to avoid legal accountability.
By 1960news.com
