Five Arrested Over Unauthorised Medical Outreach In Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested five suspects over an unauthorised medical outreach and warned individuals and organisations against administering drugs or locally made medicines without approval from relevant authorities.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.

According to the police, operatives of the 52 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Challawa, intercepted six men attached to the Brother Paul Legacy Foundation at the ECWA Church behind the 52 PMF Base in Challawa on Monday.

The suspects, led by 50-year-old Simon Gbaaondo from Karu in Nasarawa State, were allegedly administering unverified locally made medicines to a large number of residents from the Panshekara community.

Police said the medicines were distributed free of charge and also offered for sale without approval from the Kano State Government, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), or other relevant health authorities.

According to the command, the activity had attracted public complaints before security operatives intervened.

Police also invited the person who hosted the group at the church premises to assist with investigations.

The case was first reported at the Panshekara Police Division before it was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where the five suspects are undergoing further investigation.

The command warned individuals and organisations against organising medical outreaches or distributing drugs without proper approval.

The statement said:

“Such acts pose serious health and security risks to the public, especially when large crowds are involved.”

Police also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting residents and maintaining public safety across the state.

The command added:

“The Kano State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety, security and well-being of all residents and will not condone any activity capable of endangering public health or public order.”

Residents were urged to report any suspicious medical outreach or the distribution of unverified medicines to the nearest police station.