The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a man posing as an eye specialist for allegedly administering unapproved concoctions as treatment for various eye problems in several communities.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Friday in Uyo, saying it followed credible intelligence from concerned members of the public.
The suspect, identified as Gabriel Gideon from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, was apprehended in Itu LGA while treating residents with a mixture of olive oil, fruit juice, and water, claiming it could cure eye defects.
“A fake medical doctor who parades himself as an ophthalmologist has been arrested for allegedly administering a mixture of unapproved substances to hundreds of people in Ikot Akpan Itam, Ikot Abasi Itam, and Nung Ukot Itam in Itu LGA, with N500 only as charge per person,” John said.
She explained that operatives acted on a tip-off received around 12:05 pm on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Upon interrogation, Gideon reportedly confessed to having no medical qualifications. He allegedly gathered over 300 people in each of the villages and administered the concoction as treatment.
A medical team from the Ministry of Health later confirmed the substances to be unapproved for medical use.
The police spokesperson noted that an investigation was ongoing and urged residents to be wary of unlicensed practitioners.
