Police Arrest Fake Ophthalmologist for Treating Patients with Concoction in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 41-year-old man, Gabriel Gideon, for allegedly operating as a fake ophthalmologist and administering unapproved substances to hundreds of residents. The arrest came after a tip-off exposed his fraudulent activities in the state.

According to a statement released on Friday by the police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, Gideon was apprehended on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in the Nsit-Ubium Local Government Area. He was accused of parading himself as an eye doctor and treating eye defects with a mixture of olive oil, juice, and water.

The police revealed that the suspect had been operating in several communities in Itu Local Government Area, where he allegedly gathered over 300 people in each of three villages—Ikot Akpan Itam, Ikot Abasi Itam, and Nung Ikot Itam. Gideon reportedly charged each person a fee of ₦500 for the so-called treatment.

“On Thursday, August 14, 2025, at approximately 12:05pm, operatives of the command received a tip from a concerned citizen regarding a man who was reportedly treating eye defects with unapproved substances. The suspect, identified as Gabriel Gideon from Nsit Ubium, was apprehended,” the statement read.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect confessed to not being a qualified medical doctor. A medical team from the Ministry of Health was brought in to examine the substances, and they confirmed that the concoction was unapproved and unsafe for medical use.

The Commissioner of Police has launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the full extent of the fraudulent scheme and to identify any other victims. The police have also issued a warning to the public to be cautious of individuals posing as medical professionals, urging them to seek medical care only from approved and qualified healthcare practitioners.