The National Patriotic Against Injustice and Corruption (NAPAIC), together with some traders in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, has petitioned the Minister for the Interior through the Regional Minister to retain the Inspector-General of Police's Special Operations Team, popularly known as "Black Maria," in the region.

The demonstration followed comments made by lawyer Anthony Anamoo during the 44th Remembrance Service for the three murdered High Court judges, organised by the Ghana Bar Association in Bolgatanga.

During the event, Anamoo allegedly claimed that police officers, through their operations, had killed some suspects.

Addressing the demonstrators, a leading member of NAPAIC, John Yaro, rejected the lawyer's comments, arguing that the region still needs the specialised police unit to maintain security.

Yaro said the Upper East Region experienced several security incidents in the first half of 2026, including the killing of a police officer during a robbery attack on the Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway.

He also said the Bolgatanga Market recorded four separate armed robbery attacks.

"Four separate armed robbery attacks were carried out at the Bolgatanga Market and its environs in broad daylight," he said.

Yaro expressed disappointment that the Ghana Bar Association had not publicly condemned the killings of traders, police officers, and immigration officers in the region.

"We expected the Ghana Bar Association to publicly express concern over the killings of traders, police officers and immigration officers and condemn such acts," he said.

He described Anamoo's comments as unfortunate, given the security challenges the region had experienced.

Yaro said NAPAIC had repeatedly requested evidence to support the lawyer's allegations but had yet to receive any.

"We have asked for evidence since July 7, but to date, we have not received anything," he stated.

According to him, the deployment of the Black Maria team significantly improved security in the region.

He said that before the arrival of the Regional Police Commander, DCOP John Ferguson Dzineku, officers from the CID headquarters led by ACP Bernard Baba Ananga, and the Black Maria team, armed robbers operated with little resistance, leaving residents in constant fear.

Yaro added that the police task force had helped reduce robbery and theft cases.

"Since the presence of the police task force over the past two to three months, our checks in the Bolgatanga Municipality and Sandema District show that there have been no reported motorbike thefts," he said.

He said the operations of the Black Maria team had led to the arrest and prosecution of several robbery suspects, boosting public confidence in the security agencies.

The petition was received by the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Roland Ayoo, on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga.

Receiving the petition, the MCE assured the demonstrators that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for consideration.

He also commended them for conducting the demonstration peacefully, noting that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to demonstrate.