Arrested fake doctor admits operating on patients

Detectives from the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos have arrested a 38-year-old fake medical doctor, Tayo Shakirudeen, who confessed to collecting N150,000 to perform hernia or appendix surgeries on unsuspecting patients.

Shakirudeen, who also operates as the proprietor of Skylink Hospital in Ikorodu, admitted to setting up the facility in 2022. He also revealed that he gained his medical experience while working as a nurse assistant in a hospital.

“I started Skyline Hospital two years ago. I have six staff members, four of whom are nurses. They assist me during operations,” Shakirudeen confessed.

Detailing his fraudulent practices, he admitted to performing only hernia operations since the inception of his illegal practice. He recounted a specific incident where a female patient visited his hospital complaining of abdominal pains, and after conducting tests, he diagnosed her with hernia and proceeded with the operation.

However, Shakirudeen confessed to lacking formal medical education, stating that the university certificate found in his possession was forged. He admitted to only possessing a Senior School Certificate Education (SSCE).

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Olatoye A. Durosinmi, disclosed that the suspect initially claimed to have attended Obafemi Awolowo University, which was found to be false based on intelligence gathered from the Elepe community.

Upon investigation, detectives recovered two suspected forged certificates-one purportedly from Obafemi Awolowo University and another from the Nigeria Medical and Dental Council. Additionally, immovable hospital equipment was confiscated, and the hospital complex was sealed pending further investigation.

Durosinmi revealed that Shakirudeen confessed to electronically producing the forged certificates and that his real qualification was SSCE.

In a related development, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Plateau State has distanced itself from Lukman Luka Abdul, who operates Al Ihsan Nursing Home and Maternity Hospital located in Anguwan Rogo, Jos North LGA of the state.

 The hospital came under scrutiny after operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) sealed Al-Ihsan clinic on Sunday in Unguwan Rogo, Jos North, following allegations of quackery and the reported death of a patient who received treatment at the clinic.

The closure of the clinic by security operatives was prompted by the reported death of a woman who underwent surgery performed by Lukman at his clinic.

In response to the developments, Dr Bapiga’an Audu, Chairman of the Plateau State Chapter of the NMA, and Dr. Istifanus Bako, Public Relations Officer, issued a joint statement on Tuesday in Jos.

They revealed that upon investigation, Lukman Luka Abdul was found to be operating as an impostor, “falsely presenting himself as a doctor and exploiting this deception to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.” The statement clarified that he is a quack, lacking the necessary qualifications to practice medicine.

“The NMA, in collaboration with security agencies and the State Ministry of Health, will continue to ensure that these quacks are driven out of Plateau State,” according to the statement.