The Rivers State Government has intensified its war against medical quackery, shutting down five hospitals and a patent medicine store while arresting seven suspects over alleged child trafficking, illegal medical practice and operations without valid licences.

The latest crackdown, carried out by the State Anti-Quackery Committee in collaboration with security agencies, exposed what health authorities described as a disturbing network of unqualified practitioners endangering lives and exploiting vulnerable patients across the state.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee and Permanent Secretary-Designate in the Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, said investigations revealed that several of the affected facilities were operated by individuals with no recognised medical qualifications, yet they performed surgeries, prescribed medications and administered treatments to unsuspecting members of the public.

More alarming, according to the committee, was the discovery of an alleged child-trafficking operation at EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, where the proprietor was accused of swapping live newborns with dead babies and falsely informing mothers that their children had died during delivery.

Wachukwu said all staff members found at the facility were arrested, while the hospital was immediately sealed pending prosecution.

He alleged that the operator had for years exploited desperate mothers by presenting deceased infants as their own while illegally selling healthy newborns.

The committee also sealed a patent medicine store in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area, following allegations that its operator administered an injection containing an unknown substance to a 20-year-old woman, resulting in her death. The victim, who had recently completed secondary school and was awaiting admission into a higher institution, reportedly died shortly after receiving treatment.

Another facility, PLARIV Hospital in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, was found to be operating without registration and allegedly run by a non-medical practitioner. Investigators discovered that the proprietor was conducting surgeries and operating an unauthorised training programme for auxiliary nurses, with more than 60 trainees reportedly enrolled.

Other facilities shut down include Good Shepherd Hospital in Omoku, Blessed GoodNews Clinic on Bonny Street, Port Harcourt, Estate Clinic in Okahia Estate, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, and the patent medicine store in Ndele.

Health experts have repeatedly warned that quackery remains one of the gravest threats to healthcare delivery in Nigeria, contributing to avoidable deaths, medical complications and loss of public confidence in the health system.

The Rivers Government said the latest operation underscores the deadly consequences of patronising unlicensed facilities, where untrained individuals often masquerade as healthcare professionals, exposing patients to life-threatening risks.

Wachukwu noted that the state had recorded significant progress in its anti-quackery campaign over the past two years but warned that illegal operators continued to devise new methods to evade detection.

He commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the media for supporting the campaign against illegal healthcare providers.

The government also cautioned non-governmental organisations, religious bodies and private groups intending to conduct medical outreaches or health interventions in the state to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Health.

According to the committee, the fight against quackery is not merely an enforcement exercise but a critical public health intervention aimed at protecting residents from exploitation, preventable deaths and criminal activities disguised as healthcare services.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to ensure the recovery of N110 billion allegedly spent on vehicle procurement and support allowances for federal lawmakers, following a Federal High Court judgment declaring the expenditures unlawful.

In a letter dated June 20, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP demanded that members of both chambers of the National Assembly refund all monies, allowances and benefits received under the schemes and return them to the public treasury.

The organisation also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to establish mechanisms that would guarantee strict compliance with due process in future procurement and spending decisions, while promoting transparency, accountability and value for money.

The demand follows a judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023. The court held that the expenditure of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected legislators violated procurement laws, constitutional provisions and the public trust.

SERAP argued that the judgment created a legal and moral basis for restitution, insisting that lawmakers should not retain benefits derived from conduct judicially declared unlawful.

“Flowing from Justice Bogoro’s judgment, there must be consequences and full restitution for the lawmakers’ failure to comply with their constitutional and statutory obligations, particularly in relation to the unlawful expenditure of the N110 billion, as found by the Court,” the organisation stated.

According to SERAP, allowing legislators to keep benefits obtained through unlawful spending would undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and conflict with constitutional provisions aimed at combating corruption and abuse of power.

The group maintained that while the court did not expressly order a refund of the N110 billion, the judgment, when read alongside constitutional provisions, anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s international obligations, provides sufficient grounds for the recovery of the funds.

SERAP warned that it would initiate legal action against the National Assembly and its members if the recommended measures were not implemented within seven days.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of receipt and/or publication of this letter.

If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions against you, other lawmakers, and the National Assembly to secure the recovery and return of the unlawfully expended N110 billion in the public interest and in accordance with the rule of law,” the letter stated.

The organisation further called for public hearings on the National Assembly’s budget during every budget cycle and the proactive publication of detailed budgetary and expenditure information to strengthen public scrutiny and participation.

SERAP said the court found that the spending schemes were tainted by self-dealing, conflict of interest and a failure to prioritise the national interest, adding that effective compliance mechanisms were necessary to prevent future violations.

“The National Assembly cannot fully give effect to the spirit and purpose of the judgment while its members continue to retain benefits derived from conduct declared unlawful by the Court,” it said.

The organisation stressed that reimbursement of the funds would help restore public trust, deter future abuses, safeguard the right to development and ensure that public resources are used for the benefit of Nigerians rather than private interests.

Students and researchers from the Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management (IGEM), Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, have been urged to embrace environmental stewardship and practical learning as critical tools for addressing the environmental challenges confronting the Niger Delta and the country at large.

The charge was given by the Acting Zonal Director of the Nigeria Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), South-South Zonal Office, Port Harcourt, Mr. Victor Odiba, during an educational tour by the institution to the agency’s office and laboratory facilities.

Receiving the delegation, Odiba described NESREA as the nation’s foremost environmental enforcement agency, with the responsibility of ensuring compliance with environmental standards and regulations across sectors.

He said the visit provided an opportunity for students to move beyond classroom theories and gain firsthand knowledge of environmental regulation, compliance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

“We are delighted to receive these students because environmental protection starts with awareness and understanding. It is important that they see the practical side of environmental management and appreciate the role regulatory institutions play in safeguarding public health and the environment,” he said.

According to him, NESREA serves as the enforcement arm of the Federal Ministry of Environment and is mandated to ensure that environmental laws, regulations and standards are adhered to nationwide.

“We are like the police of the environment in Nigeria. Our duty is to ensure that environmental standards are maintained and that individuals, organisations and industries operate in ways that do not endanger the environment,” he added.

Odiba encouraged the students to take advantage of the interaction by asking questions and gaining deeper insights into the agency’s operations, stressing that knowledge acquired through practical exposure would better prepare them for future careers in environmental management and sustainability.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Research Fellow at IGEM, Dr. Ibinabo Ogolo, said the visit was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world environmental regulatory practice.

She noted that the South-South region continues to grapple with environmental issues such as waste management challenges, industrial emissions, oil spills and the long-term effects of pollution, making it imperative for students to understand how regulatory agencies respond to such concerns.

“The purpose of this tour is to expose our students to the realities of environmental governance. By seeing how NESREA carries out monitoring, compliance and enforcement activities, they can better appreciate how environmental standards are implemented beyond the classroom,” she said.

As part of the tour, the students visited the National Environmental Reference Laboratory, where they were introduced to the agency’s scientific and analytical operations.

Head of the laboratory, Mr. Oghelenemu Hope, explained that the microbiology unit conducts antimicrobial resistance investigations and other microbial analyses, while the chemistry and instrumentation units provide critical scientific support for environmental monitoring and enforcement activities.
He described the facility as one of the most advanced government-owned environmental laboratories in the country.

The visit also offered students an opportunity to interact directly with environmental professionals and gain practical insights into laboratory procedures, environmental assessment techniques and regulatory compliance processes.
Speaking after the tour, some of the students described the experience as enlightening and transformative.

Mrs. Joseph Chinedu said the field trip helped clarify many concepts previously taught in the classroom.
“What we learned in class became clearer after seeing the practical processes. It was educational and opened our eyes to the realities of environmental regulation,” she said.

Another participant, Mr. Diolu Tobechukwu, described the visit as a valuable learning experience that deepened his understanding of environmental governance.
“It is one thing to study environmental regulations in theory and another to witness how they are implemented. The visit exposed us to the values, processes and challenges of environmental management from a regulatory perspective.

“We gained practical knowledge about environmental laws, compliance procedures and the role citizens, institutions and industries play in protecting the environment. It also helped us understand both the powers and limitations of regulatory agencies like NESREA,” he said.

The educational tour underscored the growing importance of collaboration between academic institutions and regulatory agencies in developing the next generation of environmental professionals equipped to tackle emerging environmental challenges.

The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a transparent, predictable and investment-friendly business environment as part of efforts to drive economic growth and sustainable development.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara stated this on Friday at a Technical Workshop on Business-Enabling Reforms and Investment Competitiveness organised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in collaboration with the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) in Port Harcourt.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, the governor said the administration remains focused on positioning Rivers State as a preferred destination for investment through policies and reforms that support business growth and economic prosperity.

According to him, Rivers State occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s economy, supported by its vibrant population, abundant natural resources, strategic maritime assets and strong entrepreneurial culture.

“As one of Nigeria’s leading commercial and industrial hubs, Rivers State possesses enormous potential. Our responsibility is to transform these advantages into sustainable economic opportunities through deliberate reforms, strong institutions and effective governance,” he said.

Fubara noted that the government is committed to fostering an environment that attracts both domestic and foreign investors while promoting enterprise development and innovation across critical sectors of the economy.

He added that evidence from successful economies worldwide demonstrates that growth is accelerated when governments create enabling conditions for businesses to thrive, stressing that this principle continues to guide the state’s support for initiatives that promote investment, improve institutional coordination and enhance competitiveness.

The governor described the workshop as an important platform for stakeholders to identify challenges, share practical experiences and develop solutions aimed at strengthening the state’s investment ecosystem.

He said the forum would also help align government policies and programmes with global best practices while ensuring they remain responsive to local realities and developmental needs.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, commended the Rivers State Government for providing a platform to engage stakeholders on business-enabling reforms and investment opportunities.

She said PEBEC, established by the Presidency, is focused on strengthening enterprises and unlocking economic opportunities across the country.

Audu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing bold economic reforms aimed at boosting investor confidence and improving the nation’s business climate.

She emphasised that Nigeria’s economic transformation requires stronger alignment and collaboration among the federal, state and local governments.

Also speaking, Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr Peterside Chamberlain, said the agency’s mandate is to create an enabling environment where businesses can thrive, jobs are created and tax administration becomes more efficient for citizens and investors.

“We know that private sector investment is the driver of economic development and progress. We are working to make Rivers State the preferred investment destination,” he said.

The Rivers State Police Command has announced a temporary restriction of movement across seven local government areas in the state ahead of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The affected local government areas are Andoni, Tai, Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Oyigbo and Opobo/Nkoro.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, the restriction will commence at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, and remain in force until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20.

The police said the measure forms part of comprehensive security arrangements aimed at ensuring a peaceful, orderly, free, fair and credible electoral process.

“The restriction is intended to enhance public safety, protect electoral officials and materials, prevent electoral malpractices and create a secure environment for eligible voters to exercise their civic responsibility without fear, intimidation or harassment,” the statement said.

The Command, however, exempted accredited officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security personnel on election duty, ambulance and emergency service providers, fire service personnel and other duly authorised essential service providers from the restriction.

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, warned that anyone found violating the movement order or engaging in activities capable of disrupting the electoral process would face the full weight of the law.

He specifically cautioned against electoral violence, vote-buying, voter intimidation, thuggery and other unlawful acts that could undermine the integrity of the election.

Adepoju urged political parties, candidates, supporters and residents of the affected local government areas to remain peaceful, law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies throughout the electoral process.

“The success of the election depends on the collective commitment of all citizens to uphold the rule of law and promote a culture of peace,” he said.

The police commissioner also assured residents that robust security measures had been put in place in collaboration with other security and relevant agencies to safeguard lives and property, protect electoral materials and ensure a peaceful conduct of the by-election.

The Command encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities through its Complaint Response Unit and Control Room emergency lines.

Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining law and order, the Command called on residents to uphold peace and respect the law to make the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election a model of democratic excellence.