RismadarVoice Reporters
October 5, 2026
The Rivers State Ministry of Health has shut down 21 health facilities and arrested three persons as part of its 2026 inspection, enforcement and anti-quackery exercise across four local government areas.
The enforcement operations covered Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Etche Local Government Areas.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed the development during the ministry’s third-quarter press briefing.
Wachukwu said the exercise followed surveillance reports indicating that more than 150 health facilities were operating without proper registration or regulatory supervision.
He said only about 20 per cent of registered health facilities had complied with the mandatory annual inspection and renewal of Certificates of Standards.
According to him, 19 of the facilities sealed by the ministry were unregistered and failed to meet minimum standards prescribed under the Rivers State Facility Registration Law.
Another registered facility was shut after inspectors allegedly found it operating without a licensed doctor or nurse on duty.
Wachukwu said Manda Clinic and Maternity was also sealed during a joint operation involving the ministry and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, following allegations of child trafficking.
He said operators of the facility were arrested, while preliminary findings indicated that the clinic was operating without registration or licensed medical personnel. The allegations remain subject to investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that a man identified as Isaac, who allegedly presented himself as a medical practitioner trained in Ukraine, was arrested at Havilla Hospital in Igwuruta.
According to the ministry, checks showed that he did not possess a valid licence from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to practise medicine in the country.
Wachukwu said Sunday Ogundele, operator of Ola Oluwa Medical Centre, was also arrested over allegations of impersonation and unauthorised medical practice.
The ministry said the enforcement campaign was aimed at protecting patients and ensuring that health facilities operating in Rivers State comply with registration, staffing and professional standards.
It commended the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NAPTIP, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigerian Medical Association for supporting the enforcement operations.
The ministry urged residents to report suspected cases of quackery, illegal medical practice and other activities capable of compromising healthcare delivery in the state.
