A 33-year-old alleged fake medical doctor Otu Bassey, has been arrested for performing an unauthorised hernia surgery on a 60-year-old man in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Penpushing reports that the Cross River State Police Command Public Relations Officer Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, adding that the incident occurred at a private clinic in Ekori after the patient, identified simply as Ukpan, reportedly developed complications following the procedure.
The police spokesperson explained that the alleged surgery was carried out on September 8, 2026, and the patient was discharged the same day, adding that three days later, on September 11, 2026, at about 4 pm, the patient’s condition worsened and he was taken to Ugep General Hospital by the suspect.
“The Cross River State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding an alleged unauthorised hernia surgery performed on Ukpan, surname withheld, ‘m’, 60 years, at a private clinic in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area, after the patient reportedly developed complications following the procedure’ Eitokpah wrote,.
“Preliminary information indicates that the patient underwent the procedure on September 8, 2026 and was discharged the same day. On September 11, 2026, at about 4 pm, he was reportedly taken to Ugep General Hospital by Bassey Otu Bassey, ‘M’, 33 years, following the reported complications’, he added.
Penpushing further reports that the statement said chaos started at about 9 pm when the patient’s family members, suspicious of the suspect’s qualifications, attempted to attack him at the hospital.
The command’s image maker said the police officers on duty swiftly intervened, prevented the mob action and moved the suspect to protective custody at the Ugep Police Division, adding that the command proceeded to verify the suspect’s professional status and qualifications.
“During preliminary questioning, the suspect reportedly stated that he is a theatre assistant who undertook the procedure in the absence of his principal. The police are currently verifying his professional status and qualifications, as well as the circumstances under which the procedure was conducted’, Eitokpah said
Penpushing also reports that the statement said medical personnel are investigating the cause of the patient’s complications to determine if they are linked to the alleged surgery, stating that no conclusion has been reached on criminal liability pending the outcome of investigations and medical reports.
Meanwhile, the Command in the statement, however, cautioned members of the public against taking the law into their hands, assuring that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted.
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