Five Apprehended in Kano Over Counterfeit Herbal Drugs, Impersonation

The Zone One Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Kano has announced the apprehension of five individuals suspected of impersonation and involvement in the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of bogus herbal remedies. These products were allegedly marketed using the brand and identity of a registered traditional medicine practitioner.

Abdullahi Hussaini, the Public Relations Officer for Zone One, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Friday. He detailed that the suspects were taken into custody following a formal complaint lodged on August 10, 2026, by Mr. Abdulwahab Abubakar, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Abdulwahab Abubakar Herbal and Islamic Clinic in Bauchi.

Mr. Abubakar’s complaint accused the arrested individuals, along with others still at large, of exploiting his name, business identity, and public lectures to promote and sell unapproved products. Furthermore, he alleged that some of these suspects had defrauded members of the public by collecting money for medicines that were never supplied, while others distributed dangerous, fake herbal concoctions potentially harmful to health.

The police identified the five suspects as Muhammad Usman, Husaini Kabir, Hassan Kabir, Suleiman Salihu, and Nura Garba. According to the statement, all the apprehended individuals have provided confessions acknowledging their participation in the alleged offenses. The ongoing investigation aims to identify and bring to justice any other persons linked to these illicit activities.

In light of these events, the Zone One Headquarters issued a strong caution to the public, urging vigilance against fraudsters who exploit the credibility and names of legitimate businesses to deceive unsuspecting citizens. The police further advised individuals to meticulously verify the authenticity of products, vendors, and payment channels, especially when conducting transactions via social media, before finalizing any purchases. A stern warning was also directed at those engaged in similar fraudulent schemes, emphasizing that anyone found culpable would face the full punitive measures of the law.