Northern Police Nab Six Over Alleged Extortion
Six Arrested in Northern Region Over Alleged Extortion, Assault and Fake Police Anti-Drug Operations
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested six suspects for allegedly engaging in extortion, assault, theft and impersonation of a police anti-illegal drug taskforce in Tamale.
The suspects, said to be members of a group popularly known as “Faako”, are accused of operating under the guise of an anti-illegal drug enforcement team while carrying out unlawful activities against members of the public.
According to the Police, the arrests followed a formal complaint lodged on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, by a victim whose identity has been withheld for security reasons. The complainant alleged that on the night of July 6, members of the group stormed his residence, conducted an unauthorized search of the premises, seized suspected tramadol, confiscated his unregistered Yamaha motorbike valued at GH¢42,000, and took GH¢28,000 in cash.
The victim further alleged that he was handcuffed and transported to an office at 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 the group’s demands.
According to the complaint, the suspects also demanded GH¢15,000 before his confiscated motorbike would be released to him.
Following the report, officers from the Police Red Maria anti-illegal drug team accompanied the complainant to identify the suspects and recover the confiscated property.
The operation led to the arrest of six suspects 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. The suspects have been granted police enquiry bail while investigations continue.
During the operation, police recovered GH¢12,273 in cash, the complainant’s unregistered Yamaha motorbike, and six sachets of Royal Fort 250mg Tramadol, all of which have been retained as exhibits to aid ongoing investigations.
The Northern Regional Police Command disclosed that it has received several reports indicating that some individuals are using the name “Red Maria” to intimidate, assault and extort members of the public.
The Command emphasized that Red Maria is an official Police anti-illegal drug operation team and does not collaborate with any private individuals or unauthorized groups in carrying out its operations.
It therefore warned persons or groups falsely claiming affiliation with Red Maria or any police unit to immediately desist from such criminal conduct, stressing that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Police also appealed to members of the public who may have suffered similar acts of intimidation, extortion, assault or unlawful detention by individuals claiming to represent Red Maria or any police unit to report such incidents at the nearest police station for thorough investigation.
The Northern Regional Police Command reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law professionally while safeguarding the rights, safety and dignity of all persons.
By: Joyce Owusu
Howedey.com reporter
