Efforts to rid Anambra State of quackery in the health sector leads to Police raiding a purported medical facility, arresting its alleged fraudulent and fake female surgeon and three women child traffickers
By Chinedu Oguh
The Anambra State Government has intensified its campaign against quackery in the health sector with the crack down on an illegal medical facility in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, arresting a 47-year-old fake Surgeon, Mrs. Onyinyechi Esther Charles, for allegedly carrying out surgical procedures without the required medical and surgical qualifications.
Mrs. Charles, who hails from Abia State but married to an Nteje man in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, allegedly operated a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) facility in Umueri where she is accused of performing highly dangerous caesarean sections, conducting normal vaginal deliveries surgical and carrying out other surgical procedures without being a certified medical professional. The facility has been linked to reported cases of medical complications and fatalities.
The Anambra State Ministry of Health, disclosed that the arrest followed investigations initiated by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal medical practice and protect the lives of residents.
Shockingly investigators also discovered a hidden shrine and altar on the premises where she used to blame medical fatalities on “spiritual attack.”
The Ministry stated that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted performing caesarean sections, normal deliveries and other surgical procedures, without medical qualification or authorization. It further revealed that she was previously known as Eze Nwanyi before becoming a church minister and presenting herself as a surgeon.
During an inspection of the facility on Sunday, July 12, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, accompanied by Mayor of Anambra East Local Government, Hon. Ifeanyi Chinweze and security personnel, reportedly recovered surgical instruments and other medical equipment believed to have been used in the alleged unauthorized procedures.
Hospital beds where patients were reportedly treated were also found within the premises, while officials further discovered what appeared to be a shrine and an altar inside the facility.
Speaking during the inspection, Dr. Obidike described the discovery as a disturbing and a serious threat to public health. He said Soludo administration will not allow unqualified individuals to endanger the life of residents under the guide of providing health care.
Dr. Obidike warned members of the public against seeking medical care from unlicensed facilities or unqualified personnel, urging expectant mothers and other patients to patronize only government-approved hospitals and duly registered health care providers. He reiterated that the Ministry of Health would sustain its surveillance and enforcement operations across the state to identify and prosecute illegal medical practitioners.
He stressed that the government remains committed to sanitizing the health sector and ensuring that only licensed and qualified health care professionals provide medical and surgical services in Anambra State, adding that anyone found violating the law would face the full weight of legal sanctions.
Reacting, the Mayor of Anambra East Local Government Area, Hon. Ifeanyi Chinweze commended the Ministry of Health and security agencies for exposing the illegal medical operation.
He assured residents that the local government would continue to support efforts aimed at eliminating quackery and other unlawful practices that endanger lives. He urged members of the public to promptly report suspected illegal health facilities and patronize only accredited hospitals and qualified health care professionals.
Further investigations revealed that the facility was also involved in illegal trafficking of newborns where vulnerable young women were offered financial payouts ranging from one million naira to #1.5 million to surrender their babies for illegal sale.
Other victims seeking medical treatment face extreme financial extortion with some being charged up to ₦3.5 million Naira including one victim who paid ₦1.5 million Naira for fraudulent pregnancy care.
Following swift action by the Ministry of Health and security agencies, the facility has been shut down and the suspect is now facing prosecution. The rescued individuals are now currently receiving necessary support and rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, three women are currently in police custody following a sting operation that uncovered a child trafficking syndicate in Anambra State with one four-year-old child allegedly sold for staggering N2 million.
In a major breakthrough that sent shockwaves through the community, the Anambra State Police Command has dismantled a suspected trafficking network operating from a bustling motor park in Onitsha. The arrest took place on the evening of July 11, 2026 led to the apprehension of three female suspects and a manhunt is underway for another member of the syndicate.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspects- Florence Nnakuzie, 45, Hannah Ugo, 52 and Chinasa Daniel, 27, were arrested by operatives of the Awada Divisional Headquarters.
The investigation has revealed a chilling chain of custody involving the sale of innocent children. Preliminary findings indicate that Chinasa Daniel allegedly trafficked two children-a two-week old baby and a four-year-old child-on separate occasions between June and December 2025. She reportedly handed these children over to Hannah Ugo.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga detailed the tragic sequence: “Chinasa further disclosed that the four-year-old child was subsequently handed over to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for ₦2 million, while the two-week old baby was allegedly sold to another woman who is currently at large.”
This incident is not an isolated event, just a month ago, Police is said a suspected child trafficker, in Onitsha confessed to selling his friend’s son for N1.3 million, claiming financial hardship drove him into the trade. Previously, Security operatives in Anambra had also rescued three children abducted from Bauchi State who were reportedly sold for ₦2 million.
These disturbing incidents underscore the urgent need for vigilance and highlight the ongoing battle against human trafficking in Nigeria.
