Tamale mayor Sule Salifu has announced the suspension of police patrols in the metropolis.

This follows the murder of a young man around the Kalandan Sports Stadium by suspected armed robbers and an attack on the Dakpema chief’s palace in the city.

Speaking at the Northern Excellence Awards held in Tamale on Sunday, March 6, 2022, the mayor said: “In the night around 5 to 6 pm, all of us will go out. You will not see the presence of the police on our streets”. 

 “All police patrols have been suspended”, he said, adding: “What it means is that, Tamale, for now, is not as safe as we've wished it to be.”

The reason for the suspension of police patrols in the metropolis is, however, not known.

Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt for 15 gunmen who attacked the Dakpema chief's palace Monday dawn.

Five people, including the Dakpema chief, Naa Bawa Fuseini, sustained injuries and are being treated at the Tamale Hospital.

The gunmen reportedly stormed the palace at about 5 am.

The Dakpema chief, upon hearing the sound of gunshots, reportedly went out to enquire what was happening only for the gunmen to open fire on him.

He was hit in the leg.

Among the injured are two females and two men, one of whom is a sub-chief.

The gunmen, according to eyewitnesses, wore masks.

There has been some tension in Tamale between the Dakpema palace and Gulkpe Naa palace over who is the rightful chief of Tamale for some time now.

Both the Dakpema chief and Gulkpe Naa are laying claim to the Tamale throne.

This has led the Overlord of Dagbon to issue a statement outlining the duties of the two palaces.