Savelegu: Irate youth lock up Cop in Assembly office

Angry youth backed by constituency executives have locked up the Savelugu Municipal Assembly office in the Northern region despite the presence of armed police personnel.

A police officer who refused to come out from the building has been locked up inside, according to Starr News’ Northern regional correspondent Eliasu Tanko.

The action of the angry youth comes after soldiers on Wednesday escorted and inducted the Municipal Chief Executive, Hajia Aishetu Seidu into office.

It was her first time in office two months after her overwhelming endorsement. She was blocked by the youth from gaining access after they intensified protest for a replacement.

Hajia Aishatu Seidu officially took over from the municipal coordinating director on Wednesday, June 14 in a short ceremony under heightened security.

The regional Security Council on Wednesday, in a show of force sanctioned the deployment of dozen of riot gear wearing soldiers to force the MCE into her office to fully assume duty as head of the municipal assembly.

The action of the council followed a third demonstration staged by the youth against the MCE after two initial protests failed to intimidate assembly members to reject her.

However, the move enraged the protesters who resolved to besiege and lock up the office despite the presence of the combative military force.

Speaking exclusively to Starr News, leader of the youth, Zakaria Karim said after the late night meeting that it has been agreed to drive out all workers from the facility at 8am Thursday morning and close it down until the president heed to their request.

The action by the youth has raised security concerns in the region.

Political tensions have escalated since in the municipality since the appointment of Hajia Aishatu.

The youth have roundly rejected her and held series of rampaging protests despite an unprecedented approval by the assembly members.

According to Tanko, only four officers were present at the assembly office Thursday morning when the angry youth arrived there. The irate youth overpowered the police who and managed to lock up the premises.

Meanwhile, ASP Yusif Tanko, spokesperson for the Northern regional police command in an interview on Morning Starr said reinforcement have been called from Tamale to help combat the situation.

According to him, he is yet to receive any briefing from the commander that the premises has been locked up.