Fake Pharmacist Harms Teen Girl Through Injection

Police in Bauchi State have arrested a man operating a pharmaceutical store at  Yalwa of Bauchi metropolis without the necessary qualifications to practice as a healthcare professional, causing injury to a 15-year-old girl.

The command said it received a letter of complaint from the state Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management against one Mr. Ibrahim, the chief executive officer of Hamdala Special Medicine Store located in area for unprofessional negligence and degrading treatment.

According to the police report, the unlicensed pharmacist was apprehended for injecting the 15-year-old girl, leading to injuries on her buttocks.

“A 15-year-old female patient, Maryam Magaji, residing in Yelwa Lebura, Bauchi, experienced health issues and was taken to the medicine store in Yelwa area for medical treatment, where she was administered an injection for malaria, which subsequently led to significant bodily harm,” police said.

Police spokesman CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil told journalists in Bauchi yesterday that Maryam was later evacuated to a hospital where medical professionals confirmed that her injuries were a direct consequence of the injection, following which the man was arrested.

“During the interrogation, the individual was identified as Ibrahim Hassan Mamman, a 27-year-old resident of Isa Yuguda Guest House in Bauchi, who voluntarily confessed to the allegations against him.

“Mamman was said to have recounted the incident which occurred on July 1, 2025, when a friend accompanied his sister, Maryam Magaji Garba, to his medicine store.

“The sibling expressed concerns about symptoms that could potentially indicate malaria and typhoid. The suspect prescribed artemether tablets; however, the brother of the victim insisted on an injection for malaria treatment”, police added.

Report said the girl was administered an 80-mg intramuscular injection for three consecutive days, and two weeks later, her brother informed the suspect of abnormal changes at the site of the injection, which he assured him that it would resolve itself.

Police said, “Eventually, the brother contacted the suspect again, reporting a deteriorating condition, leading to the victim’s admission to Bayara Hospital for treatment. Further investigations revealed that the suspect willfully injected the victim despite his lack of knowledge in diagnosing health issues or administering injections.

“A subsequent search of the suspect’s pharmacy uncovered expired medications, including Children’s Tuxil, manufactured by Fidson Healthcare Plc, which expired in August 2024; Tuxil suspension, manufactured by Tuyil Pharmaceuticals Ltd., expiring on May 17, 2025; and various other medications set to expire within the month”.

The state commissioner of police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough and objective investigation into the incident.