Police rescue theatre assistant from angry crowd after surgery claims

The police in Cross River State have arrested a theatre assistant. He is accused of performing a hernia surgery on a 60-year-old patient who later faced complications.

This incident happened at a private clinic in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area. The police spokesperson, Sunday Eitokpah, provided this information in a statement on Saturday.

The police reported that the patient, known only by his surname Ukpan, had the surgery on 8 September. He was discharged on the same day.

On 11 September, just three days later, “at about 4 p.m., the patient was reportedly taken to Ugep General Hospital by Bassey Otu Bassey, 33,” due to complications, Mr Eitokpah said.

While at the hospital, the patient’s family allegedly tried to attack Mr Bassey. They raised concerns about his qualifications and his role in the surgery.

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

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

The police are now checking his professional status and qualifications. They are also looking into how the surgery 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 added.

This case has raised fresh concerns about 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 accountability. He wants them to take the lead in the fight against quackery.

Mr Salako described quackery as “homicide by instalment.” He stated that the government would not sacrifice public health for professional unity.

Earlier in January, police in Ondo State arrested a 25-year-old man, Nasiru Idris. He was accused of running an illegal clinic in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.

The police said Mr Idris was not a registered medical practitioner. He allegedly posed as a doctor and provided medical services without proper registration.

In the Ondo case, a previous fake doctor performed a caesarean section on a woman. She was later rushed to the hospital due to excessive bleeding. Investigators found that the suspect was not a medical doctor.

The police in Cross River have urged the public to avoid mob action and jungle justice. They assured that anyone found guilty based on credible evidence would face the law.