Operatives of the Cross River State Police have arrested a 33-year-old man, Otu Bassey. He is accused of acting as a doctor and performing an unauthorised hernia surgery on a 60-year-old man in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday in Calabar, the state capital. The surgery took place at a private clinic in Ekori. The patient, known only as Ukpan, reportedly faced complications after the procedure.
Eitokpah said the surgery happened on September 8, 2026. The patient was discharged the same day. But three days later, on September 11, 2026, around 4 pm, the patient’s condition got worse. Bassey then took him to Ugep General Hospital.
The statement said, "The Cross River State Police Command has begun an investigation into the unauthorised hernia surgery performed on Ukpan, surname withheld, ‘m’, 60 years, at a private clinic in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area, after the patient reportedly developed complications following the procedure."
"Preliminary information indicates that the patient underwent the procedure on September 8, 2026, and was discharged the same day. On September 11, 2026, around 4 pm, he was reportedly taken to Ugep General Hospital by Bassey Otu Bassey, ‘M’, 33 years, following the reported complications," the statement added.
Chaos broke out around 9 pm when the patient’s family, suspicious of Bassey’s qualifications, tried to attack him at the hospital. The police officers on duty quickly stepped in, stopped the mob action, and took the suspect to protective custody at the Ugep Police Division. They also began to check the suspect’s professional status and qualifications.
"During preliminary questioning, the suspect reportedly said he is a theatre assistant who did the procedure because his boss was not around. The police are verifying his professional status and qualifications, as well as how the surgery was done," the statement said.
Eitokpah added that medical personnel are looking into the patient’s complications to see if they relate to the surgery. The police said no conclusion has been reached on any criminal liability. This is pending the investigation and medical reports.
The Command warned the public against taking the law into their hands. They assured that anyone found guilty would face prosecution.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇