IGP Yohuno Brokers Peace Between Religious Leaders and Alhaji Sibamay Zakaria Following Viral Assault Controversy

In a strategic effort to de-escalate religious tensions, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno has successfully mediated a reconciliation between key figures involved in a recent inter-faith controversy. The meeting, held at the Police Headquarters in Accra on August 14, brought together Imam Masud Abdullah, Apostle Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, and Alhaji Sibamay Zakaria, also known as ‘Papa Angola.’ This high-level intervention follows a period of heightened friction between sections of the Christian and Muslim communities sparked by derogatory remarks and a subsequent physical altercation that was captured on video.

The controversy gained national attention after a video went viral showing Alhaji Sibamay Zakaria assaulting Apostle Daniel while the latter was in police custody. The Apostle had been detained following reports of him making derogatory comments regarding the Prophet Mohammed. In the wake of the incident, the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) issued a formal clarification to distance itself from the matter. The PAOG emphasized that Alhaji Zakaria is not a member of the Ghana Hajj Board nor affiliated with their office in any capacity, asserting that his actions were independent and urging the public to disregard any assumptions of an official association.

During the reconciliation session, IGP Yohuno underscored that while law enforcement is essential for maintaining order, legal action alone cannot heal deep-seated social or religious divides. He urged religious leaders to take active responsibility in fostering restraint, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among their followers. The IGP’s call for harmony was met with a mutual commitment to peace from all parties involved. The engagement reached a symbolic climax when Imam Masud, Apostle Daniel, and Alhaji Zakaria shared a public embrace, signaling a formal end to their dispute and a commitment to moving forward without animosity.

This resolution is seen as a vital step in preserving Ghana's long-standing reputation for religious pluralism and stability. By bringing the primary actors together, the police administration sought to prevent the isolated incident from escalating into wider communal violence. Moving forward, the religious leaders involved have been encouraged to use their platforms to preach mutual respect, ensuring that individual provocations do not undermine the collective peace of the nation.