The Rivers State Interprofessional Anti-Quackery Committee has sealed five hospitals and one drug store across the state and arrested seven suspects over allegations of child trafficking, quackery and operating without regulatory approval. The crackdown was carried out following reports of unsafe medical practices and suspected illegal sale of infants.
According to the committee, the facilities were shut for regulatory infractions including operating without certification, lack of qualified personnel, poor infection control and carrying out specialist surgeries without proper support. One of the affected centres was linked to allegations of “crypto pregnancy and child trafficking” after occupants reportedly fled on arrival of the enforcement team, leaving the building abandoned.
Officials said the exercise targeted clinics and maternity homes disguised in residential apartments and shops. In one case, a facility converted from a three-bedroom apartment into a 10-bed hospital was found operating without certification or qualified nurses. At another centre, the operator was discovered to have no valid practising licence but was carrying out specialist surgeries linked to the death of a patient after multiple procedures.
The committee said the suspects arrested are being processed for prosecution while relevant exhibits were handed over to security agencies for further investigation. The rescued victims, including infants, have been placed under the care of appropriate authorities.
Vincent Wachukwu, Director of Medical Services who led the operation, said the exercise was part of the anti-quackery mandate of the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Nigeria Medical Association and allied health workers. He warned that the government will not tolerate medical quackery and illegal trafficking of children.
“We will not fold our arms and watch quacks gamble with human lives. This is just the beginning — more arrests and closures will follow,” Wachukwu declared.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Diamond Tamunokuro, said the state government and the people are saying quacks are no longer allowed in the health sector in Rivers. He urged residents to report suspicious medical facilities to the Ministry of Health to protect unsuspecting citizens from preventable deaths caused by fake health practitioners.
