Fake doctor arrested as woman dies during abortion

Police operatives have arrested a man accused of posing as a doctor after a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Etim, died during an abortion procedure at his facility in Akwa Ibom State.

The man, identified as Sunday Akpan, was alleged to have carried out the procedure in Ikot Obio Odongo, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, confirmed the incident on Friday, August 22, 2025.

John disclosed that Etim worked for Akpan at the same facility.

John said police operatives launched a search after the victim’s mother filed a distress report.

She stated that the fake doctor tried to dispose of the woman’s body secretly.

The police spokesperson said: “On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 09:30 hours, a man was arrested on suspicion of conducting an illegal abortion that resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman.

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“The arrest followed a report made by a woman (name withheld), who stated that her daughter, Blessing Sunday Etim, had gone to work at Full Life Medical Centre at Ikot Obio Odong village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.

“According to a co-tenant, the victim’s employer, a man who identified himself as Dr. Sunday Okon, attempted to secretly enter the deceased’s room to dump her body. When confronted, he dropped the corpse and fled the scene.

“Upon arrival, detectives observed a premature foetus exiting the victim’s private part. A subsequent investigation led to the arrest of the suspect, a resident of Afaha Offiong village in Nsit Ibom LGA.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim died from a suspected illegal abortion performed by the accused. Further inquiries revealed that the suspect, who owns and operates the Full Life Medical Centre, is not a licensed medical doctor or a nurse, but rather a community health practitioner.

“It is believed that he used the facility to perform illegal medical services and abortions. The health centre has since been found deserted. The body of the deceased has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and an autopsy.”

John added that investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Star