The Rivers State Police Command has arrested seven suspects linked to alleged child trafficking and other illegal medical practices following a crackdown on unregistered health facilities across the state.
The arrests were carried out during an operation by the Rivers State Ministry of Health’s Anti-Quackery Committee in collaboration with security agencies.
Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee and Permanent Secretary-designate of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, said the suspects were arrested after investigations uncovered widespread illegal activities in several health facilities.
According to him, six facilities, including five hospitals and a patent medicine store, were sealed for operating without licences, engaging in quackery, and allegedly participating in child trafficking.
Wachukwu alleged that one of the facilities, EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, was used for child trafficking. He claimed the proprietor deceived mothers into believing their newborn babies had died, allegedly replaced them with dead infants, and sold the living babies.
He said all staff members found at the facility were arrested and handed over for prosecution.
“Part of what we gathered from the investigation is that this woman is involved in child trafficking. Women go there to deliver, and she allegedly exchanges live babies with dead ones before selling the children,” Wachukwu said.
The affected facilities include PLARIV Hospital in Omoku, Good Shepherd Hospital in Omoku, Blessed GoodNews Clinic in Port Harcourt, Estate Clinic in Obio/Akpor, a patent medicine store in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area, and EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia.
Wachukwu also disclosed that a 20-year-old secondary school graduate reportedly died after receiving an injection administered by an unqualified operator at one of the sealed patent medicine stores.
He further alleged that PLARIV Hospital was being operated by an unlicensed practitioner who carried out surgeries and ran an auxiliary nurse training programme without approval from relevant authorities.
The committee chairman said the seven suspects arrested during the operation would be prosecuted, adding that the state government remains committed to cleaning up the health sector of quacks and criminal elements.
He commended the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the media for supporting the anti-quackery campaign.
Wachukwu also warned private hospitals, religious organisations, and NGOs planning medical outreaches in the state to obtain approval from the Ministry of Health before commencing operations.
He stressed that violators of the directive would face sanctions in line with existing regulations.