Rivers hospital shutdown child trafficking probe leads to closure of 6 facilities and arrest of 7 suspects over illegal medical practices in Rivers State

The Rivers State Government has shut down six healthcare facilities, including five hospitals and a patent medicine store, following allegations of child trafficking, illegal medical practice and other serious offences, in a sweeping enforcement operation that has led to the arrest of seven suspects across the state.

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The crackdown, which forms part of an intensified anti-quackery campaign, was carried out after a discreet investigation by the State Anti-Quackery Committee with support from security agencies, following complaints from members of the public.

Chairman of the committee and Permanent Secretary-designate in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed the development during a briefing with journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, describing the findings as deeply disturbing.

Dr Wachukwu said investigations revealed that several of the affected facilities were being operated by unqualified individuals who allegedly performed surgeries, prescribed drugs and administered medical treatments without the required licences or professional qualifications.

According to him, some of the operators also ran illegal training programmes for aspiring nurses without accreditation, raising further concerns about patient safety and regulatory breaches within the state’s healthcare system.

One of the most serious allegations involved EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, which officials said was linked to alleged child trafficking activities.

Dr Wachukwu alleged that the proprietor of the facility deceived mothers into believing their newborns had died during childbirth, exchanged them with dead infants and subsequently sold the surviving babies.

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

“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 told the mothers that their babies had died. She then sold the living babies.”

The shocking allegation has triggered widespread concern among residents, with authorities vowing that the case will be fully investigated and prosecuted in collaboration with security agencies.

The affected facilities include PLARIV Hospital in Omoku, Good Shepherd Hospital also in Omoku, Blessed GoodNews Clinic in Port Harcourt, ESTATE Clinic in Obio/Akpor, a patent medicine store in Ndele, and EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia.

Dr Wachukwu further revealed that the patent medicine store in Ndele was sealed following the death of a 20-year-old girl, allegedly caused by an injection administered by an unqualified operator.

He said the deceased, a recent secondary school graduate awaiting university admission, died after receiving treatment from an unlicensed practitioner.

“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,” he said. “We sealed the premises and arrested those we found there.”

He added that the operator was currently being tracked with the support of local community members.

At PLARIV Hospital in Omoku, investigators reportedly discovered that the facility was being run by a non-medical practitioner from Plateau State who allegedly performed surgical procedures without qualification and operated an unapproved training school for auxiliary nurses.

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

The Rivers Hospital Shutdown Child Trafficking enforcement exercise also led to the arrest of seven suspects, with authorities confirming that six facilities were sealed in total during the operation.

Dr Wachukwu commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the media for supporting the committee’s ongoing crackdown on medical quackery.

He noted that despite increasing enforcement efforts, illegal operators continue to devise new methods to evade detection, stressing the need for sustained collaboration among stakeholders.

“We have sealed about six healthcare facilities and arrested about seven persons,” he said.

“As we intensify the fight against quackery, those involved also devise new ways to evade detection. But with continued support from stakeholders, we believe we are making significant progress.”

The committee also issued a fresh warning to organisations planning medical outreach programmes in Rivers State, stating that all such activities must be approved by the Ministry of Health.

Dr Wachukwu said approvals must be obtained through the offices of the Permanent Secretary and Director of Medical Services, warning that defaulters would face sanctions.

While assuring legitimate operators of government support, he reiterated that the state remained committed to sanitising the healthcare sector and protecting residents from unsafe medical practices.

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The latest operation marks one of the most extensive crackdowns in recent months as authorities intensify efforts to eliminate unlicensed medical practice and safeguard public health in Rivers State.