A 33-year-old man has been arrested by the Cross River State Police Command for allegedly performing an unauthorised hernia surgery on a 60-year-old patient in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area.

The suspect, identified as Otu Bassey, was reportedly operating at a private clinic when the incident occurred on September 8, 2026.

According to the police, the patient, identified as Ukpan, was discharged on the same day after undergoing the procedure. However, his condition reportedly worsened three days later, prompting his transfer to Ugep General Hospital.

The police said Bassey took the patient to the hospital following the reported complications.

Tension reportedly rose at the hospital around 9 p.m. when the patient’s family members, who questioned the suspect’s professional qualifications, attempted to attack him.

Police officers intervened, prevented the confrontation and moved Bassey to protective custody at the Ugep Police Division.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect allegedly told investigators that he was a theatre assistant who performed the procedure in the absence of his principal.

The police are currently verifying his professional status and qualifications, as well as the circumstances surrounding the surgery.

Medical personnel are also investigating the cause of the patient’s complications to establish whether they were connected to the procedure.

The Cross River State Police Command stressed that no conclusion has been reached regarding criminal liability pending the completion of investigations and medical reports.

The Command urged members of the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands, assuring that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.