Rivers Shuts Six Health Facilities, Arrests Seven Over Alleged Child Trafficking, Quackery

The Rivers State Government has shut down six healthcare facilities, including five hospitals and a patent medicine store, and arrested seven suspects over allegations of child trafficking, illegal medical practice, and other related offences.

The action followed a discreet investigation conducted by the State Anti-Quackery Committee in collaboration with security agencies after receiving complaints from members of the public.

Chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee and Permanent Secretary-designate in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Wachukwu said investigations revealed that some of the affected facilities were being operated by unqualified individuals who allegedly carried out surgeries, prescribed medications, and administered treatments without the required qualifications, licenses, or regulatory approvals.

He further alleged that some operators were running illegal training programmes for aspiring nurses despite lacking accreditation and professional credentials.

According to him, one of the sealed facilities, EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, was allegedly involved in child trafficking.

He claimed that the hospital’s proprietor deceived some mothers into believing their babies had died during childbirth, exchanged the newborns with dead infants, and subsequently sold the living babies.

“For the latest case at EL DONA Hospital, the proprietor was operating without registration and was involved in child trafficking. All members of staff were arrested, and the facility has been sealed,” Wachukwu said.

“Part of what we gathered from our investigation is that women went there to deliver babies. The operator allegedly exchanged dead babies for living ones and informed the mothers that their babies had died. She then sold the living babies.”

He assured that the state government would work closely with the police to ensure that all those found culpable are prosecuted.

The affected facilities include PLARIV Hospital on Kreigeni Road, Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area; Good Shepherd Hospital on Nkaru Street, Omoku; Blessed GoodNews Clinic on Bonny Street, Port Harcourt; ESTATE Clinic in Okahia Estate, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area; a patent medicine store in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area; and EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt.

Wachukwu also disclosed that the committee sealed the patent medicine store in Ndele following the death of a 20-year-old girl allegedly caused by an injection administered by the operator.

According to him, the deceased had recently completed secondary school and was awaiting admission after sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

“A report came to us that the operator, who is not medically trained, administered an injectable medication that allegedly led to the girl’s death. We sealed the premises and arrested those we found there. The operator was absent, but we are still tracking her with the support of the community,” he said.

The committee chairman further revealed that PLARIV Hospital in Omoku was allegedly being operated by a non-medical practitioner from Plateau State.

He said the suspect reportedly conducted surgical procedures without the necessary training or licence and operated an unapproved training school for auxiliary nurses.

“When we visited the facility, we found more than 60 trainees. There was no certificate of registration or evidence of regulatory approval. We sealed the hospital and arrested the proprietor, who is currently being detained pending prosecution,” he stated.

Wachukwu disclosed that six facilities were sealed during the latest operation, while seven suspects were taken into custody.

He commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and media organisations for supporting the state’s anti-quackery campaign.

“We have sealed about six healthcare facilities and arrested about seven persons. As we intensify the fight against quackery, those involved continue to devise new methods to evade detection. However, with sustained support from stakeholders, we believe significant progress is being made,” he said.

Wachukwu also warned that any non-governmental organisation, private hospital, or religious body intending to conduct free medical outreach programmes in Rivers State must first obtain approval from the Ministry of Health through the offices of the Permanent Secretary and the Director of Medical Services.

While assuring genuine organisations of government support, he stressed that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions.

The Rivers State Government reiterated its commitment to sanitising the healthcare sector, protecting residents from unqualified practitioners, and ensuring that healthcare services in the state meet approved professional and ethical standards.