Police detain health practitioner over alleged illegal abortion

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has detained a health practitioner for alleged abortion that led to the death of a woman in Ikot Obio Odung village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.

The Command’s Public Relation Officer,DSP Timfon John, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday.

John said the arrest followed a report by the victim’s mother, who stated that her daughter had gone to work at Full Life Medical Centre in Ikot Obio Odong village, Ibesikpo Asutan.

“A man was arrested on suspicion of conducting an illegal abortion that resulted in the death of a 35 year-old woman at approximately 9:30 p.m on Tuesday, Aug. 19.,” John said.

According to the victim’s neighbour, the employer allegedly tried to secretly dump her body in the deceased’s room, but fled the scene after being confronted.

John said upon arrival, detectives observed a premature fetus exiting the victim’s private part.
She said that a subsequent investigation led to the arrest of the suspect, a resident of Afaha Offiong village in Nsit Ibom.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim died from a suspected illegal abortion performed by the accused.”

John said that further inquiries exposed 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 center had since been found deserted,” John said.

According to her, the body of the deceased had been deposited at a morgue for preservation and an autopsy.

The command’s spokesperson said investigation was ongoing and assured that further details would be made available in due course.