Fake police officer who’s been terrorising residents arrested in Kano

Friday, October 18, 2024 - A fake police officer has been arrested by men of the Kano State Police Command.

31-year-old Salisu Bala was arrested for impersonating a police officer and extorting residents in various parts of the Kano metropolis.

He was apprehended in Koki Quarters on October 14, 2024, while he dressed in a black police uniform and camouflage cap and said to have carried out his extortion in areas such as Sabon Gari, Fagge, and Koki Quarters.

The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa in a statement said the arrest followed reports from the public that some individuals were pretending to be members of the Police Special Constabulary to extort money. 

“On receipt of the reports, the Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, directed Divisional Police Officers to step up efforts to ensure the arrest of these impostors.

“Consequently, on 14/10/2024 at about 08:30pm, one Salisu Bala, aged 31 years old, ‘m’, of Kurna Quarters, Kano was arrested by some members of Police Special Constabulary at Koki Quarters wearing a black Police Uniform with a Camouflage peak cap.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is neither a Police Officer nor a member of Police Special Constabulary but an impostor masquerading as Police Special Constabulary, extorting unsuspicious members of the public and also confessed to be an illicit drug user,” the statement said.

Kiyawa further revealed that the suspect admitted to extorting unsuspecting members of the public and confessed to using illicit drugs.

He added that four different sets of police uniforms were also recovered at his residence during the investigation.

The suspect revealed in a separate video posted on the Facebook page of the command’s spokesperson, that he got the police uniform from the discarded clothing of a deceased acquaintance but could not confirm if the deceased was a true or fake police officer as well.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba, assured residents that the command would not tolerate any form of impersonation or extortion by individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers.

“We will continue to take proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of all residents in the state,” the statement quoted him as saying.

 The police have urged anyone with complaints against the suspect to contact the Force at 07038188127.

“In case of emergencies or suspicious activities, the public can reach the command through its emergency lines: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926” the statement added.