By Hadiza Yusuf
The Kano State Police Command has arrested five suspects over the alleged unauthorised administration and distribution of locally made medicine in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this on Wednesday, saying the suspects were arrested following complaints from residents.
According to him, operatives of the 52 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Challawa, intercepted six male suspects attached to the Brother Paul Legacy Foundation at the ECWA Church behind the 52 PMF Base in Challawa at about 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
Kiyawa said the suspects, led by Simon Gbaaondo, 50, from Karu, Nasarawa State, were allegedly administering unverified and unauthorised locally made medicine to a large number of people from the Panshekara community.
He alleged that the suspects were administering the medicine free of charge and offering it for sale without clearance from the relevant health regulatory agencies.
“The suspects were administering unverified and unauthorised locally made medicine free of charge and also offering it for sale without clearance from the relevant health regulatory agencies. The person who hosted them on the church premises has also been invited to assist with the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the activity,” Kiyawa said.
The PPRO said 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 under investigation.
He warned individuals and organisations against conducting medical outreaches or administering drugs and locally made medicine without approval from the Kano State Government, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant health authorities.
“Individuals and organisations should not administer drugs, locally made medicine or conduct medical outreaches without due authorisation and verification from the state government, NAFDAC and other relevant health authorities. Such acts pose serious health and security risks to the public, especially when large crowds are involved,” he said.
Kiyawa added that the command would not tolerate activities capable of endangering public health or disrupting public order.
He urged residents to report any suspicious medical outreach or distribution of unverified medicines to the nearest police station.
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