The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested six suspects alleged to be members of a group known as Faako over charges of extortion, assault, stealing, and impersonation of a Police anti-illegal drug team.
According to the Command, the arrests followed a complaint lodged on July 7, 2026, by a victim who reported that on the night of July 6, the suspects stormed his residence, searched the premises, seized suspected tramadol, 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 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. He was reportedly asked to pay GH₵15,000.00 before his motorbike could be released.
Acting on the complaint, officers of the Police Red Maria team accompanied the victim to identify the suspects and recover the confiscated items. The six arrested individuals were named 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.
Police confirmed that during the operation, GH₵12,273.00, the complainant’s motorbike, and six sachets of Royal Fort 250mg Tramadol were retrieved and retained as exhibits.
The Command cautioned the public against individuals falsely claiming affiliation with Red Maria, stressing that the unit is an official Police anti-illegal drug operational team and does not collaborate with external groups. Victims of intimidation, extortion, or unlawful detention by persons claiming such affiliation have been urged to report to the nearest Police Station for thorough investigation.
DSP Stephen Asiedu, Staff Officer of the Northern Region, reaffirmed the Police’s commitment to enforcing the law professionally while protecting the rights and safety of all persons.
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