Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have apprehended a man posing as an ophthalmologist, Gabriel Gideon, in Nsit-Ubium Local Government Area for allegedly administering unapproved substances to hundreds of residents.
Police spokesperson DSP Timfon John said in a statement on Friday that Gideon was arrested on Thursday, August 14, 2025, following a tip-off from concerned residents of Itu Local Government Area.
The suspect reportedly treated patients with a concoction made of olive oil, juice, and water.
The statement read, “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 Ikot Itam in Itu LGA.
“On Thursday, August 14, 2025, at approximately 12:05 pm, 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.”
According to the statement, the suspect admitted that he is not a qualified eye specialist. He allegedly gathered over 300 people in each of the three villages — Ikot Akpan Itam, Ikot Abasi Itam, and Nung Ikot Itam — charging each N500 for the purported treatment.
A medical team from the Ministry of Health confirmed that the substances administered were not approved for medical use.
The police confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing.
