Rivers State Government shuts down five hospitals and arrests suspects over allegations of child trafficking and illegal or improper medical practices. According to reports, the crackdown targets specific facilities in different local government areas. The closed facilities include PLARIV Hospital on Kreigeni Road in Omoku (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area), Good Shepherd Hospital on Nkaru Street (ONELGA), and Blessed GoodNews Clinic on 31 Bonny Street in Port Harcourt, as well as two other hospitals not detailed in the provided excerpts.
The Punch reports that authorities arrest seven suspects in connection with the allegations. Vanguard reports that suspects are arrested as part of the state’s action. The reports frame the enforcement as part of efforts to address child trafficking involving medical facilities and “quackery,” meaning suspected practice of medicine without proper authorization or compliance with health regulations. The state’s measures involve both closure of the hospitals and detentions/arrests linked to the suspected offenses.
