The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested one Sunday Okon Akpan, who posed as a medical doctor, for allegedly carrying out an illegal abortion that led to the tragic death of a young woman.

Police spokesperson DSP Timfon John, in a statement on Thursday, revealed that the suspect operated under the guise of running Full Life Medical Centre in Ikot Obio Odong village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.

The arrest followed a complaint from a woman whose daughter, Blessing Sunday Etim, failed to return home after going to work at the clinic. Investigations later uncovered the shocking incident.

According to witnesses, the suspect attempted to secretly dump the victim’s body in her room, but was confronted by neighbors. He abandoned the corpse and tried to escape before police officers intervened.

Detectives at the scene also discovered signs of a botched abortion, including a premature foetus exiting the victim’s body.

Further findings revealed that Akpan is not a licensed doctor or nurse, but merely a community health worker. He had been allegedly using the facility to perform illegal medical procedures and abortions, which has since forced residents to abandon the center.

The police confirmed that the victim’s body has been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy, while investigations are still ongoing.

The case has sparked renewed calls for stricter monitoring of unlicensed health facilities across Nigeria, to protect citizens from quack practitioners who endanger lives in the name of healthcare.