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Police rescue suspect from mob, launch probe
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A theatre assistant is under police investigation in Cross River State after he allegedly performed a hernia surgery on a 60-year-old man at a private clinic in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area.
The procedure on September 8 reportedly ended in complications that forced the patient’s admission to Ugep General Hospital three days later, triggering tension and an attempted mob attack on the suspect.
The illegal procedure ended with complications and nearly cost the suspect his life.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, the patient, identified only as Ukpan, underwent the surgery on September 8, 2026, and was discharged the same day.
But three days later, things went wrong when, on September 11, at about 4:00 pm, the patient was rushed to Ugep General Hospital by Bassey Otu Bassey, 33, after developing complications.
Tension boiled over at the hospital around 9:00 pm when members of the patient’s family, angered by questions over Bassey’s professional status, allegedly attempted to lynch him.
Police officers at Ugep General Hospital intervened swiftly, rescuing the suspect from the mob and taking him into protective custody at the Ugep Police Division.
During preliminary questioning, Bassey reportedly told police he is a theatre assistant who carried out the procedure “in the absence of his principal.”
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The command said it is now verifying his qualifications and the circumstances that led to the surgery.
It is also investigating whether the patient’s complications are directly linked to the procedure.
“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 findings,” the statement said.
The police urged residents to desist from jungle justice, assuring that anyone found culpable will face the law.
“This administration will not tolerate quackery in the health sector.
“We urge members of the public to report suspicious medical practices to appropriate authorities.”
The issue of quackery has been a growing concern in recent times in the state and this has prompted decisive action by the task force on health quality and anti-quackery.
The task force, which operates under the Ministry of Health, has shut down at least four unregistered facilities within the last 12 weeks.
One facility was sealed in Calabar following the death of a patient as a result of surgery, while three private health facilities were sealed in Ikom, Nkoyo and Ekori over alleged quackery, non-registration, outdated facilities and lack of minimal standards to function.
