Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Inspector General of Police, has formally welcomed the IGP’s Special Operations Team (Black Maria unit) to the police headquarters, hailing the team for their outstanding work in Tamale.
IGP Yohuno further addressed concerns raised by some opinion leaders and youth in Tamale, who had urged that the unit remain longer in the area.
According to the IGP, the special unit was brought in to handle a specific task, and the local police would resume their duties once the special force had completed its assignment.
Speaking in a viral video shared on X, IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno stated, “When you are leaving, people don’t want you to leave. It started like Dr Gariba said, we were in the Western Region, where there was a need to contain the situation at Akinta Mines over there. After discharging your duties, you went to Ashanti South – Diaso and all the rest – and over there, it was fabulous”.
“When I was withdrawing you, it was a problem. Why did I withdraw you, people from there? But you are not for one place. When you say a special team, it doesn’t become a permanent team. You go somewhere, you perform your duties, leave the rest for the local police to do, and then you move on to another place,” he explained.
The IGP remarks follow some youth in Tamale who staged a protest against the immediate recall of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) special operations team from the Northern Region.
Reports detailed that the “Black Maria” was deployed to the region by the IGP in 2025, to curb the surging incidents of drug abuse, robbery and other criminal activities.
Following news of their withdrawal, hundreds of the youth on Thursday night stormed the Global Dream Hotel where the personnel had been lodging to appeal to them to withdraw their decision.
Abdul Rauf Mahama, a resident speaking to the media, highlighted that the team helped to sanitise many areas, “I am very worried about the redeployment of the team from the metropolis, because we are likely witnessing a surge in criminal activities and all the gains made for the past months will be in vain”, he said.
Another resident stated, “We want them to stay and continue with their work to ensure that the region is free from crime, especially drug dealing, substance abuse, among others”.
In related Police news, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has ordered an investigation into a viral video alleging that some police officers in Kibi withdrew GHC400,000 from a mobile money agent’s account without authorisation.
The IGP directivews follows, a viral video on social media alleging fingering some Police officers in the incident.
According to the Police the outcome of the investigation will be duly communicated to the Ghanaian public.
In a statement released by the Police on Thursday, 5, 2026, read, “IGP DIRECTS INVESTIGATION INTO VIRAL VIDEO ALLEGING UNAUTHORISED MOBILE MONEY WITHDRAWAL
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to conduct investigation into allegations in a viral video concerning the unauthorised withdrawal of an amount of GH₵400,000 from a mobile money account of a mobile money agent by some personnel at Kibi.
The victim has since been contacted and is assisting the investigation.
We assure the public that the outcome of the investigation will be duly communicated”.
Watch the video below:
The Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has formally welcomed the IGP’s Special Operations Team (Black Maria unit) to the police headquarters, praising their outstanding work in Tamale.
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 9, 2026
He addressed the concerns raised by some opinion leaders and youth in… pic.twitter.com/5pyGSUId4I