28 ‘Sakawa Boys’ Arrested In Tamale

Twenty-eight persons suspected to be involved in Internet fraud, ‘Sakawa’ in the Tamale metropolis have been arrested. The suspected Sakawa boys, also referred to as Shattas in the Tamale metropolis, were arrested during joint police and military swoops at the Moshi Zongo and other areas in the metropolis on Saturday night

Even though a police source that confirmed the arrest to the Daily Graphic in Tamale failed to give details on the operations, it is believed to be part of efforts by the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to clamp down on the rise of cyber fraud activities among the youth in Tamale.


The source said some of the boys who managed to escape arrest have fled the city but indicated that the security agencies would not relent in their efforts to weed out miscreants in the metropolis.

Clamp down
At a public function last week, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, gave a hint that the Regional Security Council was going to clamp down on the operations of the ‘Sakawa Boys.’ The swoop is, therefore, believed to be part of the strategy by the security to deal with such criminal activities which is tarnishing the image of the city.

The minister also condemned the rising youth indiscipline in the metropolis, and urged all, especially religious and traditional leaders, to support efforts to deal with the situation.

Intransigence
The ‘Sakawa boys’ who were infuriated by the pronouncement of the minister to "crush them," dared him to go ahead with his decision.

 In a display of arrogance, the boys allegedly went ahead to threaten the minister with text messages to "Kill him" if he dared to ensure their arrest.

It is therefore believed that the swoop was in response to the threat on the minister who is also the chairman of the REGSEC.

Reaction
Meanwhile, some residents in the metropolis have hailed the operations of the security to clamp down on the activities of the “Sakawa boys”  whose deeds, the people said, if not brought under control, could fester to pose a threat to the security of the area.




Source: Daily Graphic