BENIN CITY-Operatives of Zone 5’ police headquarters in Benin City have uncovered abortion clinic, arresting a medical doctor and four nurses during its raid in the state capital.
The medical doctor and nurses were allegedly caught in the illegal act, last Wednesday.
Sources revealed that a lifeless foetus, hospital equipment suspected to be abortion apparatus and other exhibits were recovered at the clinic.
Police hinted that the raid followed complaints received by the Assistant Inspector-General, AIG, of Police, Mr Musa Daura in charge of the zone.
It was gathered that the suspected abortionists have been secretly performing the illegal act for several years unnoticed.
The cat was let out of the bag when an expectant mother alleged to have visited the facility for check-up had her pregnancy terminated by the syndicate.
She is said to be on danger list in another hospital where she was rushed after the clandestine act.
A source revealed that operatives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Bureau, ZCIB, Adesuwa road, GRA, Benin City busted the hospital on receiving the case of the woman.
The acting spokesman for police in zone 5’ ASP Emeka Iheanacho confirmed the arrest.
“We are investigating a case of abortion, the hospital has been on surveillance.
“All of them were arrested because they were involved in the act and they are telling us their involvement in the act.
“As I am talking to you the person involved is still laying critically in a hospital.
“Even some of our operatives in a disguised went there that they want abortion, so they booked them, charged them and issued them cards not knowing that they were not there for abortion. So they have been on surveillance”. ASP Iheanacho disclosed.
Contacted, the Managing Director of the hospital, Ofure Royal Medical Centre on Upper Uwa Street, Off M.M Way, Benin City Dr. Omokhomion Kingsley said it was a case of miscarriage.
He explained that the patient was rushed to the hospital with severe vaginal bleeding.
He however absolved his hospital of the allegation of abortion.
“It is not abortion, it’s a case of miscarriage, the patient was rushed to my clinic with severe vaginal bleeding, the police already know”. Dr Omokhomion stated.
Abortion is illegal in Nigeria with a jail sentence of up to 14 years unless it is performed to save the life of the pregnant woman.
