The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 31-year-old man, Salisu Bala, for impersonating a police officer and extorting residents across different parts of Kano metropolis. Bala was apprehended in Koki Quarters on October 14, 2024, while dressed in a black police uniform and a camouflage cap. He had reportedly been carrying out extortion in areas like Sabon Gari, Fagge, and Koki Quarters.
According to a statement by the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the arrest came after several reports from the public about individuals posing as members of the Police Special Constabulary to extort money from unsuspecting residents. Upon receiving these reports, the Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, directed all Divisional Police Officers to intensify efforts to apprehend the impostors.
Kiyawa confirmed that Bala was arrested at around 8:30 p.m. on October 14 by actual members of the Police Special Constabulary in Koki Quarters. The suspect was found wearing a black police uniform with a camouflage cap, despite not being an official police officer.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is neither a police officer nor a member of the Police Special Constabulary but an impostor pretending to be one to extort unsuspecting members of the public. He also confessed to using illicit drugs,” the statement read.
Further investigations uncovered four different sets of police uniforms at Bala’s residence, raising suspicions of a larger scheme. In a video posted on the command’s spokesperson’s Facebook page, Bala admitted that he obtained the uniform from the discarded belongings of a deceased acquaintance. However, he could not confirm if the acquaintance had been a real or fake police officer.
CP Garba reassured the public that the Kano State Police Command would not tolerate impersonation or extortion by anyone posing as law enforcement officers. He emphasized that the police would continue to take proactive measures to protect the well-being of Kano residents.
The police urged anyone with complaints against the suspect to reach out to the Force at 07038188127. In case of emergencies or suspicious activities, the public can also contact the command via its emergency lines: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926.
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