Police Arrest Five Over Unauthorised Drug Outreach in Kano

Police said operatives of the 52 PMF intercepted six men led by Simon Gbaaondo, 50, from Karu, Nasarawa State, while they were distributing and selling locally produced herbal medicine to a large crowd from Panshekara communities.

The Kano State Police Command has arrested five members of the Brother Paul Legacy Foundation for allegedly administering unverified locally made medicine to residents without regulatory approval.

The suspects were apprehended on Monday at the ECWA Church behind the 52 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Base in Challawa, following complaints and public outcry over the outreach.

Police said operatives of the 52 PMF intercepted six men led by Simon Gbaaondo, 50, from Karu, Nasarawa State, while they were distributing and selling locally produced herbal medicine to a large crowd from Panshekara communities.

According to the command, the outreach was conducted without approval from the Kano State Government, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), or other relevant health regulatory authorities.

The individual who facilitated the use of the church premises for the exercise was also invited for questioning to assist investigators.

The case was initially reported at the Panshekara Police Division before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where five suspects are currently being investigated.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, warned individuals and organisations against conducting medical outreaches or administering drugs and locally made medicines without proper authorisation and regulatory verification.

He said such activities pose serious public health and security risks, particularly when they attract large gatherings.

The police urged residents to report any suspicious medical outreach or distribution of unverified medicines to the nearest police station, assuring the public that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.