The IGP Special Operations Team has issued a statement dismissing claims that celebrated Ghanaian visual artist and founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA), who doubles as the CEO of Red Clay, Ibrahim Mahama, was assaulted by police officers in Tamale.
The team clarified that the incident, which has triggered widespread social media speculation, was a standard traffic enforcement matter that escalated due to the “defiant and provocative” conduct of a driver during Eid Festivities over the weekend.
The clarification, submitted by the leader of the IGP Special Operations Team, DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil, sought to correct what the police describe as a “clear misrepresentation of facts” regarding the events that unfolded during the Eid celebrations.
The incident occurred near the Mariam Hotel at a busy three-junction intersection, as massive crowds were dispersing from congregational prayers at St. Paul JHS, Nobisco, and the Ambariya area.
According to DSP Jalil, the Special Operations Team, including members from the northern sector who had joined their commander for the festivities, encountered heavy congestion. The situation was allegedly worsened by a driver who deliberately obstructed the road and refused to comply with lawful directives to move.
Despite appeals from officers and frustrated motorists, the individual reportedly remained defiant.
The police allege the driver made inflammatory remarks, including, “I have only one life to live; if you want, you can kill me, I will never move back.”
The statement further claims the individual added politically charged comments, suggesting that a change in government would determine “who is bigger than whom”, further heightening tensions.
Contrary to reports of police brutality, DSP Jalil stated that the officers actually acted as protectors.
As the obstruction persisted, agitated civilians and road users, frustrated by the gridlock, reportedly attempted to physically attack the driver and his companions.
“The officers had to step in swiftly to prevent mob justice, protecting the individuals and ensuring their safety,” the statement clarified, noting that the aggression came from the crowd, not the law enforcement team.
The individuals involved were subsequently arrested for Offensive Conduct, including the obstruction of a public way and behaviour capable of disturbing public order.
However, following an admission of wrongdoing and a show of remorse, the suspects were not processed for court. Instead, they were handed over to their father, Alhaj Savanna.
The police confirmed that the individuals rendered an “unqualified apology” to both their father and the police team for their conduct.
The Special Operations Team concluded by urging the public to disregard the “misleading narratives” linking the event to an assault on Ibrahim Mahama.
DSP Jalil emphasised that grounding public discussion in accurate accounts is essential to avoiding unnecessary tension in the region.
The statement of the Special Operations Team differs from the account of Mr Ibrahim Mahama, who claimed that he was assaulted by the police.
The visual artist described the encounter as a “brutal assault” and called for prayers.
According to accounts attributed to Mahama, the incident began when police officers reportedly forced their way through heavy traffic, causing a gridlock situation.
A passenger in the bus in which Mahama was travelling is said to have questioned the officers’ actions, prompting them to stop the vehicle.
The officers allegedly demanded that the bus park, leading to further exchanges with passengers who questioned their conduct.
Mahama, who had recorded the unfolding scene, said the officers then turned on him, physically assaulting him and confiscating his phone.
He further alleged that footage of the incident was deleted from his device.
In a response to the incident, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh-Yohuno, has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to launch an investigation into the incident.
According to a police statement, the PPSB investigation will run concurrently with a criminal investigation already underway by the Northern Regional Command.
The dual-track approach signals an effort to ensure both internal accountability regarding the conduct of officers and a broader criminal inquiry into the incident.
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