Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected quack doctor, Sunday Okon Akpan, after an alleged illegal abortion at his facility, Full Life Medical Centre in Ikot Obio Odong village, Ibesikpo Asutan, led to the tragic death of a young woman identified as Blessing Sunday Etim.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement against unlicensed medical practices in rural communities.The arrest followed a report lodged by the victim’s mother, who had grown worried after her daughter failed to return from work. Investigations revealed a chilling account from the deceased’s co-tenant, who claimed the suspect attempted to secretly dispose of her body inside her own apartment.
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Confronted by neighbors, Akpan reportedly abandoned the corpse and fled before being tracked down by the police.Detectives who arrived at the scene confirmed the harrowing discovery: a premature fetus was found exiting the victim’s body, pointing to a botched abortion procedure. Police later confirmed that Akpan, a native of Afaha Offiong in Nsit Ibom, had been operating the facility without a valid medical license. Instead, he was merely a community health worker who allegedly converted his clinic into a hub for unsafe abortions and other unauthorized medical services.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in a statement on Thursday, August 21, said preliminary findings showed the victim’s death resulted from complications of the illegal procedure. The Full Life Medical Centre has since been deserted, and investigators are working to determine whether other women may have suffered similar fates at the hands of the suspect.The body of the deceased has been deposited at a morgue for autopsy, while the suspect remains in custody.
Authorities confirmed that a murder investigation has been opened, alongside charges of operating an unlicensed medical facility and carrying out illegal abortions. The case has stirred fresh debate over the alarming rise of fake doctors and quacks in rural parts of Nigeria, where healthcare gaps leave desperate women vulnerable.Community leaders in Ibesikpo Asutan expressed shock over the incident, noting that Akpan’s facility had been patronized by unsuspecting residents for years under the guise of a legitimate medical centre. Advocacy groups are already pressing for the state government and health ministry to intensify crackdowns on unqualified practitioners, warning that this tragic case is “only the tip of the iceberg.”
The Akwa Ibom Police Command has urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious medical facilities operating without government approval. DSP Timfon John assured the public that thorough investigations are ongoing, adding that justice will be pursued to its fullest extent to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
