Police arrest six over alleged extortion, assault and impersonation

The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested six suspects for allegedly engaging in extortion, assault, stealing, and impersonating a police anti-illegal drug operation team in Tamale.

According to a police statement issued on Sunday, July 12, 2026, the suspects are alleged to be members of a task force popularly known as "Faako."

The suspects have been identified as Hardi Tajudeen, 24; Lukman Iddrisu, 42; Abdul Rauf Alhassan, 36; Muntala Mohammed, 41; Somed Abdul Rahaman, also known as Bikorkor, 47; and Nasiru Alhassan, also known as Gbarigbari, 49.

Police said the arrests followed a complaint lodged on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, by a victim whose identity has been withheld.

The complainant alleged that on the night of July 6, 2026, members of the group stormed his residence, searched the premises, seized suspected tramadol, confiscated his unregistered Yamaha motorbike valued at GH¢42,000, and took GH¢28,000 in cash.

According to the statement, the victim further alleged that he was handcuffed and taken to the group's office, popularly known as Kandaha, at Aboabo in Tamale, where he was unlawfully detained, assaulted, and threatened with being handed over to the Police Red Maria anti-illegal drug team if he failed to comply with their demands.

Police said the complainant also claimed he was asked to pay GH¢15,000 before his motorbike would be released.

Acting on the complaint, officers from the Police Red Maria anti-illegal drug team accompanied the complainant to the location to identify the suspects and recover the confiscated items.

During the operation, police retrieved GH¢12,273, the complainant's unregistered Yamaha motorbike, and six sachets of Royal Fort 250mg tramadol, which have been retained as exhibits.

The six suspects have since been granted police enquiry bail to assist with ongoing investigations.

The Northern Regional Police Command also disclosed that it has received reports that some individuals are using the name "Red Maria" to intimidate and extort members of the public.

The command clarified that Red Maria is an official police anti-illegal drug operational team and does not collaborate with any private groups in carrying out its operations.

Police therefore warned individuals and groups falsely claiming affiliation with Red Maria or any other police unit to desist from such activities, stressing that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted.

The command further encouraged members of the public who may have experienced similar acts of intimidation, extortion, assault, or unlawful detention by persons claiming to be associated with Red Maria or any other police unit to report such incidents to the nearest police station for investigation.

The Northern Regional Police Command reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law professionally while protecting the rights and safety of all persons.

FG/MA

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