Fake surgeon apprehended while attempting to carry out a Thyroid surgery in Rivers (video)

The Rivers State Ministry of Health has sealed eight health facilities and arrested four persons over alleged quackery, impersonation and the operation of unregistered facilities during its October inspection and enforcement exercise.

The ministry said a major discovery during the latest exercise was an illegal health facility operating within a residential compound at 27 Victoria Street, where two suspected quacks, identified as Mr Ataisi Jephtha and Mrs Mgboawaji Edwin, were allegedly apprehended while attempting to perform a thyroidectomy on an unsuspecting patient.

According to the ministry, Jephtha, who posed as a surgeon, and his accomplice were immediately arrested, while the facility was sealed.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s Press Officer, Edna Alete, five other hospitals and two laboratory centres were also shut down for operating below minimum standards and without registration.

The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, warned that licensed medical practitioners working in unregistered or substandard facilities would also face penalties in line with the guidelines of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

The latest sealing of illegal facilities comes barely a week after 21 other fake medical facilities were sealed up in the state.

Rivers State Ministry of Health has sealed eight health facilities and arrested four persons over alleged medical quackery and illegal operations. Two suspects were allegedly caught attempting a thyroidectomy at an unregistered facility on Victoria Street. https://t.co/NaLrV58v7s

— Portharcourt Specials (@phspecials) October 14, 2026