Police save theatre assistant from mob after allegedly performing unauthorised surgery

The police in Cross River State have arrested a theatre assistant after he allegedly performed a hernia surgery on a 60-year-old patient who later developed complications.

The incident occurred at a private clinic in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area of the state, the police spokesperson in the state, Sunday Eitokpah, said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The police said the patient, identified only by his surname, Ukpan, underwent the procedure on 8 September and was discharged the same day.

Three days later, “at about 4 p.m. on 11 September, the patient was reportedly taken to Ugep General Hospital by Bassey Otu Bassey, 33,” following the reported complications, Mr Eitokpah said.

Police foil mob attack

While the patient was at the hospital, members of his family allegedly attempted to attack Mr Bassey after raising concerns about his professional status and involvement in the procedure.

“Police officers intervened, prevented the mob action and took Mr Bassey into protective custody at the Ugep Police Division,” the police said.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect reportedly “told investigators that he was a theatre assistant who undertook the procedure in the absence of his principal”.

The police said they were verifying his professional status and qualifications, as well as the circumstances under which the procedure was performed.

“No conclusion has been reached regarding criminal liability or the cause of the patient’s condition, pending the outcome of the investigation and relevant medical and professional findings,” the police said.

Quackery concerns

The case comes amid renewed concerns over quackery in Nigeria’s health sector.

On 28 August, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, urged the Nigerian Medical Association to strengthen professional accountability and take a leading role in the fight against quackery.

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Mr Salako described quackery as “homicide by instalment” and said the government would not sacrifice public health for professional solidarity.

Earlier in January, the police in Ondo State arrested a 25-year-old man, Nasiru Idris, for allegedly operating an illegal clinic in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.

Police said Mr Idris was not a registered medical practitioner but allegedly presented himself as a doctor and provided medical services without the required professional registration.

The Ondo case also involved a previous fake doctor who allegedly performed a caesarean section on a woman who was later rushed to hospital with excessive bleeding. Investigators subsequently discovered that the suspect was not a medical doctor.

The police in Cross River urged the public to desist from mob action and jungle justice, assuring that anyone found culpable based on credible evidence would face the law.