Police arrest fake surgeon in Cross River
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a theatre assistant for allegedly performing an unauthorized hernia surgery on a 60-year-old man at a private clinic in Ekori, located in the Yakurr Local Government Area.
The patient, identified only as Ukpan, reportedly developed complications following the surgery on September 8, 2026, and was discharged from the clinic the same day. On September 11, he was taken to Ugep General Hospital by a 33-year-old man, Bassey Otu Bassey, due to the complications.
According to a statement from the police spokesperson, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, tensions escalated at the hospital around 9 p.m. when family members of the patient allegedly confronted Bassey regarding his professional qualifications and his role in the surgical procedure. Police officers intervened and placed Bassey under protective custody at the Ugep Police Division to prevent further altercations.
During initial questioning, the suspect reportedly claimed he was a theatre assistant acting in the absence of his superior. The police are currently verifying his professional status and the circumstances surrounding the surgery.
Authorities are also investigating the nature and cause of the patient’s complications to determine any potential link to the procedure.
The police emphasized that no conclusions have been made regarding criminal liability or the cause of the patient’s condition, pending the results of ongoing investigations and medical assessments. They have urged the public to refrain from mob actions and assured that anyone found to be culpable based on credible evidence will face legal consequences.
