The Kano State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA), the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), and the Nigeria Police Force, has arrested suspects allegedly running an illegal medical outreach in Panshekara, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said the operation followed credible intelligence from members of the public about an unauthorized medical exercise in the area.
“We acted immediately upon receiving the report. A joint team from the Ministry of Health, PHIMA, and KNCDC was deployed to the location, leading to the arrest of the suspect. We subsequently contacted the Kano State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, and the suspects are currently in police custody at the Bompai Headquarters for further investigation,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the suspects were operating under the name Brother Paul Legacy Foundation, a purported non-governmental organisation, where they allegedly distributed registration cards and collected money from unsuspecting residents under the guise of providing medical services.
Dr. Yusuf said preliminary investigations by officials of the ministry, PHIMA and KNCDC showed that the alleged mastermind and other suspects were neither qualified healthcare professionals nor holders of any recognised health-related certification.
He added that the registration cards, which carried an address in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, falsely promised “free treatment” to attract members of the public.
The commissioner urged residents to avoid unlicensed individuals claiming to offer medical services and advised them to seek treatment only at government-approved health facilities and from duly licensed healthcare professionals.
He also praised the Kano State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori, for its swift intervention, while commending members of the public whose timely report led to the operation.
Dr. Yusuf called on residents to continue reporting suspicious or illegal medical activities, reaffirming the Kano State Government’s commitment to eliminating quackery, protecting lives and ensuring healthcare services in the state remain safe, ethical and professionally regulated.
