Zone 6 Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Calabar, Cross River State get a new guard as its officers and men arrest a fake medical doctor
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
In a smooth change of guard, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Rashid Bello Afegbua has officially assumed office as the 34th Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, Cross River State.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the Zonal Public Relations Officer, DSP Jefferson Osupe on August 10, 2026.
According to the statement, AIG Afegbua, a legal practitioner and seasoned police officer, brings more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, having served in various operational, administrative and strategic positions across the Nigeria Police Force.
A native of Okpella in Edo State, Afegbua was enlisted into the police force as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1992 after completing the National Youth Service Corps in Cross River State.
Before his latest appointment, Afegbua served as Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Training at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he coordinated training programmes and supported key police reforms initiatives. He also previously led the Cross River State Police Command as Commissioner of Police.
Throughout his career, the new AIG has built a reputation in operational policing, intelligence gathering, police administration and the application of technology to modern police policing. The statement noted that his leadership style has consistently reflected professionalism, discipline and commitment to institutional development.
The police expressed confidence that the new AIG will provide strategic leadership in tackling security challenges across Zone 6, strengthen collaboration with other security agencies, deepen community police, and improve service delivery within the zone.
Still in Cross River State, a 39-year-old man arrested for allegedly posing as a medical doctor in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has confessed to treating over 40 patients over three years.
The suspect, Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme was arrested by operatives of the Uwanse Police Division in Calabar South LGA following a complaint by Mrs Edemawan Samuel, who accused him of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence and operating an illegal clinic.
Police alleged that Ekpeme fraudulently obtained ₦800,000 from the woman after promising to secure employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
In his confession, the suspect said he dropped out of medical school but bought medical equipment with the hope of raising enough money to return and complete his studies.
“If I can raise money to return to medical school, I will, so I bought medical equipment for testing so that whenever patients come, I can use them to diagnose them. Often, when one patient sees that my treatment is effective, the person recommends another”, he said.
He claimed that between 2014 and 2026, he treated at least 40 patients despite not being a licensed medical practitioner.
The suspect also admitted collecting ₦800,000 from the complaint even though he promised UCTH jobs but said he diverted the money to settle a debt of about one million naira.
“I was already owing somebody one million Naira and they had been disturbing me to pay. They even seized some of medical equipment, so I used the money to offset the debt”, he confessed.
The complainant said she became suspicious when the suspect demanded an additional ₦40,000, claiming it was needed to facilitate banking transactions for the supposed employment.
“When he demanded the ₦40,000, I had a strong feeling he just wanted to collect the money and chop. I contact my brother who said he was a scammer and we reported the matter to the police”, she said.
She further alleged that the suspect had administered several of injections on her and her children while presenting himself as a qualified medical doctor.
Confirming the arrest, the Cross River State Police Command said preliminary investigations showed the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and unlawfully obtained ₦800,000 from the complainant under the guise of securing employment for her children at UCTH.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata said exhibits linked to the alleged offences had been recovered and that the suspect remained in custody.
Akata also cautioned members of the public against patronising unlicensed medical practitioners.
