Six facilities fell to the heavy hammer of the Rivers State Government while seven persons were arrested in the aggressive campaign against quackery by its Ministry of Health.
The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health and Chairman of the Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee, Vincent Wachukwu announced this on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
He stated that the Ministry recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against quack medical practices with the sealing off of seven illegal health facilities and arrest of six individuals engaged in unlawful medical activities.
Wachukwu said the enforcement action is part of deliberate efforts to sanitise the state’s health sector and safeguard public health, noting that the operation aligns with the Ministry’s anti-quackery mandate, which is in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State chapter, and other relevant health bodies.
“This fight has been on for the past two years and some months, and we’ve made some significant progress. We have sealed a whole lot of hospitals, we have sealed a whole lot of diagnostic centres, we have also tried and then we’ve arrested some of the operators of these facilities who are currently undergoing prosecution”.
According to him, the Anti-Quackery Committee have currently, embarked on an exercise to identify and deal with some of the unwholesome medical practitioners in Rivers State and the following facilities were sealed due to various unlawful medical practices.
“PLARIV Hospital, Kreigeni Road, Omoku, ONELGA: a 10 -bedded facility run by Mr Philip Anjul, unlicensed medical practitioner from Jos, Plateau State, who conducts surgeries without training or license, and runs a training institution for 60 quack nurses.”
“GOOD SHEPHERD Hospital, Nkaru Street, Omoku, ONELGA: a 10-bedded facility, run by Mr Onanefe Sagoh, alleged to be a Psychology graduate from ABSU, practises with FAKE MDCN License. Conducts surgeries without training. Runs training institution for 20 quack nurses.”
“BLESSED GOODNEWS CLINIC, 31 Bonny Street, PHALGA Facility registered with rented license. Run by non–medical practitioners named Mr. Ataisi. Conducts surgeries by unlicensed practitioners, the clinic also serves in training of 25 quack nurses.”
“ESTATE CLINIC, Okahia Estate, off East West Road, Obio/Akpor LGA. Operating without registration, clinic is run by unlicensed health personnel. Breaking open a facility sealed by the Ministry of Health.”
“Patent drug shop in Ndele, Emohua LGA. Operated by one Mrs. Christian, who was alleged to have administered some injectable medication to a 20-year-old young lady that led to her death.”
“EL DONA Hospital, Obio/Akpor: Operating without Registration. Child trafficking.”
Wachukwu also warned that any organisation or individual intending to conduct medical outreaches in the State must first obtain proper approval from the Ministry of Health, stressing that the government remains resolute in its commitment to rid the healthcare system of unqualified practitioners and ensure safe, standard medical services for residents.
“I’m using this medium now to warn and reiterate again that for any individual, any organisation, any hospital, any religious body, any NGO that wishes to carry out any form of free medical care or free medical outreach in Rivers State must obtain permission from the Ministry of Health through the office of the permanent secretary and through the office of the director of medical services”.
Wachukwu further stated that the Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee remains committed to the mandate to sanitise the Rivers State healthcare system to ensure that the investment of the state government in the health sector gets its desired impact.
He encouraged Rivers State citizens to seek medical attention only at government recognised and registered medical facilities.
He however expressed appreciation to members of the Anti-quackery Committee, the security agencies, and the media for their unwavering support towards the fight against quackery in Rivers State.