Police Arrest 6 Taskforce Members Over Alleged Extortion and Impersonation
The police have arrested six persons alleged to be members of a vigilante-style group known as “Faako” for extortion, assault, stealing, and impersonating officers of the Police anti-illegal drug team “Red Maria” in Tamale.
According to the Command, 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, and seized suspected tramadol.
They also confiscated his unregistered Yamaha motorbike valued at GH¢42,000.00 and took GH¢28,000.00 in cash.
The complainant further alleged that he was handcuffed and taken to the group’s office popularly known as “Kandaha” at 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 did not comply with their demands.
He said he was asked to pay GH¢15,000.00 before his motorbike could be released.
Acting on the complaint, officers of the Police Red Maria anti-illegal drug team accompanied the complainant to the location to identify the suspects and recover the confiscated items.
Six suspects identified as Hardi Tajudeen, 24; Lukman Iddrisu, 42; Abdul Rauf Alhassan, 36; Muntala Mohammed, 41; Somed Abdul Rahaman alias Bikorkor, 47; and Nasiru Alhassan alias Gbarigbari, 49 were arrested to assist with investigations.
The suspects have since been granted police enquiry bail while investigations continue.
During the operation, Police retrieved GH¢12,273.00, the complainant’s unregistered Yamaha motorbike, and six sachets of Royal Fort 250mg Tramadol, which have been retained as exhibits.
The Command said it had received reports that some individuals are using the name “Red Maria” to threaten and extort members of the public and clarified that Red Maria is an official Police anti-illegal drug operational team and does not collaborate with any private groups in its operations.
The Northern Regional Police Command further cautioned all persons or groups falsely claiming affiliation with Red Maria or any Police unit to desist immediately, warning that anyone found engaging in such acts will be arrested and prosecuted.
It also encouraged members of the public who may have been subjected to 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 to the nearest Police Station.
All complaints, the Command said, will be thoroughly investigated.
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