Rivers Seals 8 Health Facilities, Arrests 4 Over Alleged Medical Quackery

The Rivers State Government has sealed eight additional health facilities and arrested four persons for prosecution over alleged medical quackery, impersonation and operating unregistered facilities.

The enforcement exercise, conducted in October 2026, came less than two weeks after the state government sealed 21 health facilities as part of its campaign against illegal medical practices.

The state Ministry of Health disclosed this on Wednesday through its official media handles in an update on the anti-quackery campaign.

According to the ministry, the exercise uncovered an illegal health facility operating within a residential compound at Number 27 Victoria Street in Old Port Harcourt Township.

It said operatives found two suspects, identified as Mr Ataisi Jephtha and Mrs Mgboawaji Edwin, allegedly attempting to perform a thyroidectomy on a patient at the facility.

A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of all or part of the thyroid gland.

The ministry said Jephtha allegedly presented himself as a surgeon, adding that he and his accomplice were arrested while the facility was sealed.

It added that five other hospitals and two laboratory centres were shut down for allegedly operating below minimum standards and without the required registration.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, warned that licensed medical practitioners operating from unregistered or substandard facilities would also face penalties in line with the guidelines of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Wachukwu reiterated the ministry’s commitment to enforcing healthcare regulations and protecting residents from unsafe medical practices.

He urged healthcare providers to comply with registration requirements and minimum operating standards, warning that violations would attract appropriate sanctions.