Pastor John Abu Alhassan
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team, led by DSP Bawah Jalil, has arrested Pastor John Abu Alhassan for illegal possession of a locally manufactured pistol and AA cartridges at Gumani, a suburb of Tamale in the Northern Region.
According to a police report, on February 5, 2026, the IGP’s Special Operations Team came across a video in which the Banvim Chief was seen addressing the media and making allegations that the team had invaded his palace, claims that contradicted the actual events, and that in the said video, the suspect was peddling falsehoods against the team by misrepresenting the team’s mandate in the region and linking recent developments to longstanding chieftaincy disputes between the two gates in Dagbon.
However, intelligence assessments confirmed that the suspect seen in the video was in possession of firearms and ammunition without lawful authority. The team, through their surveillance, was able to identify the suspect at his residence in Gumani, and he was arrested.
Police said a thorough search conducted upon his arrest led to the retrieval of police accoutrements, including a police riot control helmet, a police raincoat, and a pair of shorts made from police material.
Additionally, a locally manufactured pistol and eleven (11) live AA cartridges were recovered.
The suspect, who claimed to be a pastor, was subsequently handed over to the Sakasaka Police Station for detention as well as further investigation and prosecution for the following offences; false publication and inciting the public against law enforcement personnel; unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition; and illegal possession of police accoutrements.
All exhibits retrieved were duly handed over to the station for evidential and investigative purposes.
The leader of the IGP Special Operations Team, DSP Bawah Jalil, assured that his team will continue to maintain law and order, and countering misinformation, adding that individuals involved in criminal activities will be brought to justice in accordance with the law.
“The IGP Special Operations team remains focused on our special assignments within the five Northern Regions,” he noted.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale