Tamale: Police arrest six over alleged extortion, impersonation of anti-drug taskforce 

The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested six suspects for allegedly extorting, assaulting and impersonating members of the Police's anti-illegal drug operational team, Red Maria, in Tamale.

The suspects, believed to be members of a taskforce popularly known as "Faako", were arrested following investigations into a complaint lodged by a victim who accused the group of posing as police officers to carry out unlawful operations.

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

"The complainant further alleged that he was handcuffed and taken to the group's office popularly known as Kandaha in Aboabo, 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," the statement read in part.

Police identified the suspects 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.

The arrests were made after officers from the Police Red Maria anti-illegal drug team accompanied the complainant to the group's alleged base to identify the suspects and recover the confiscated items.

Police said the operation led to the retrieval of GH¢12,273, the complainant's unregistered Yamaha motorbike and six sachets of Royal Fort 250mg Tramadol, all of which have been retained as exhibits.

The suspects have since been granted police enquiry bail while investigations continue.

The Northern Regional Police Command also clarified that Red Maria is an official police anti-illegal drug operational team and does not collaborate with any unofficial groups.

"The Command therefore cautions all persons or groups falsely claiming affiliation with Red Maria or any Police unit to desist immediately. Anyone found engaging in such criminal acts will be arrested and prosecuted," the statement cautioned.