The Kano State Police Command has clarified reports circulating on social media regarding the interception of individuals allegedly administering and distributing unverified locally made medicines during a church outreach in Kano, saying the operation was launched following complaints from members of the public.
In a statement issued by the command, it said operatives of the 52 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Challawa, intercepted six male suspects on August 4, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m. during an outreach programme at the ECWA Church located behind the 52 PMF Base in Challawa.
The police identified the leader of the group as Simon Gbaaondo, 50, from Karu, Nasarawa State, stating that the suspects were attached to the Brother Paul Legacy Foundation.
According to the command, preliminary investigations indicated that the group was administering and selling unverified locally made medicines to a large number of residents from the Panshekara community without obtaining approval from the relevant health regulatory authorities.
The police also disclosed that the individual who facilitated the group’s use of the church premises had been invited to assist with the ongoing investigation.
The case was initially reported at the Panshekara Police Division before being transferred to the Kano State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where five of the suspects are currently undergoing further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, warned individuals and organisations against conducting medical outreaches or distributing drugs and locally made medicines without the necessary approvals from the Kano State Government, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant health authorities.
He noted that such unauthorised activities pose significant public health and security risks, particularly when they attract large gatherings.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and maintaining public order, stressing that it would not tolerate activities capable of endangering the health and safety of residents.
It urged members of the public to report suspicious medical outreaches or the distribution of unverified medicines to the nearest police station, adding that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
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