The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested six people suspected of extorting, assaulting and impersonating members of the Police anti‑illegal drugs unit popularly known as “Red Maria.”

The arrests followed a complaint on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from a victim who alleges that on the night of July 6, members of a local taskforce known as “Faako” stormed his home in Tamale.

The complainant told officers that the group searched his premises, seized suspected tramadol, confiscated his unregistered Yamaha motorcycle valued at GH¢42,000 and took GH¢28,000 in cash.

According to the statement signed by DSP Stephen Asiedu, the victim was handcuffed, taken to the group’s office, reportedly called Kandaha in Aboabo, Tamale and unlawfully detained, assaulted and threatened with handover to the Red Maria team unless he complied with their demands.

He was allegedly told to pay GH¢15,000 before his motorbike would be released.

Acting on the complaint, the official Red Maria anti‑illegal drug team accompanied the complainant to identify suspects and recover the seized items.

Police arrested 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). They have been granted police inquiry bail while investigations continue.

Officers recovered GH¢12,273, the unregistered Yamaha motorbike and six sachets of Royal Fort 250 mg tramadol, which have been retained as exhibits.

The Northern Regional Police Command warned the public that “Red Maria” is an official anti‑illegal drugs operational unit and does not collaborate with other groups.

The command cautioned individuals or groups falsely claiming affiliation with Red Maria or any police unit to desist, saying anyone found impersonating officers or engaging in intimidation, extortion, assault or unlawful detention will be arrested and prosecuted.

The police urged members of the public who may have experienced similar acts by persons claiming to be associated with Red Maria or any police unit to report to the nearest police station for investigation.