Nigeria: Five Arrested in Kano Over Unauthorized Medicine Distribution

The Kano State Police Command in Nigeria has apprehended five individuals suspected of the unauthorized administration and distribution of locally produced medicine. The arrests followed complaints from concerned residents within the state.

Operatives from the 52 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Challawa intercepted six male suspects linked to the Brother Paul Legacy Foundation. The group, led by Simon Gbaaondo, 50, from Nasarawa State, was reportedly providing unverified and unauthorized locally made medicine to a large number of people in the Panshekara community. The suspects were allegedly offering the medicine both free of charge and for sale, without obtaining necessary clearance from relevant health regulatory agencies.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, stated that the individual who hosted the suspects on church premises has also been invited to assist with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding these activities. The case, initially reported at the Panshekara Police Division, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry, with five suspects currently under investigation.

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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 issued a stern warning to individuals and organizations, cautioning them against conducting medical outreaches or administering any drugs, including locally made medicines, without explicit approval from the Kano State Government, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other pertinent health authorities. He emphasized that such unauthorized actions pose significant health and security risks to the public, particularly when large crowds are involved.

The police command affirmed its commitment to not tolerating activities that could endanger public health or disrupt public order. Residents were urged to report any suspicious medical outreach programs or the distribution of unverified medicines to the nearest police station.

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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.