By Christopher Oji
The Nigeria Police have arrested a secondary school dropout who has been practicing as a medical doctor.
The suspect, Tayo Shakirudeen, 37, the MD/CEO of Skylink Medical Centre, Ako-Okuta Block Industry, behind Uncle Bayus Schools, Elepe-Ikorodu, Lagos, has been performing surgery and serious operations until last week when the appendix operation on a woman developed complications.
The suspect, during an interview on a parade ground at Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, said he was a secondary school dropout.
“I have worked in a hospital, so I was understudying the doctor when he was performing operations, especially appendicitis. I discovered that the operation is not as complicated as doctors were making us believe. I felt I could do it, so I saved towards opening a hospital. I later succeeded in opening my hospital in Ikorodu, and I have been trying my best.
“I must be candid, I forged a medical certificate from the Obafemi Awolowo University and Nigeria Medical and Dental Council Certificate, which I presented to anyone who cared to investigate me. I have successfully done operations, but appendicitis. I don’t know what happened to this woman that put me in trouble. I did my best for her to save her from untimely death, yet she paid me with ingratitude.
“Well, I regret what I did, so I am begging people to learn from my mistakes. I am very sorry, but I was so perfect. My first operation was tough, but I overcame the fear and nervousness after it.”
AIG Olatoye Durosinni, in charge of Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, comprising Lagos and Ogun State, who paraded the suspect, warned members of the public to be wary of the medical homes they patronise, as life has no duplicate.
He said: “Our men arrested one Tayo Shakirudeen, with suspected forged certificates. Based on intelligence I gathered through members of the Elepe community concerning the activities of one Tayo Shakirudeen, 37, MD of Skylink Medical Centre, at Ako-Okuta Block Industry, behind Uncle Bayus Schools, Elepe-Ikorodu, Lagos, a team of detectives led by the officer in-charge of Zonal Anti-Piracy Zone 2 Command, SP Mariam Ogunmolasuyi, swung into action; arrested the suspect, conducted a search and recovered two suspected forged certificates of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State and the Nigeria Medical and Dental Council.
“Also recovered are immovable hospital equipment. Meanwhile, the hospital complex has been sealed, pending the outcome of the investigation. Suspect confessed to electronic production of the certificates as he neither obtained any degree from the university nor certificate from the medical council as his real qualification is SSCE.
“Part of his confession is that he has a total of six staff, two of which are trained nurses, while four are amateurs. According to him, he worked as Nursing Assistant at the Fabo Medical Centre at the Majidun area of Lagos before establishing his own hospital, and he has successfully carried out three surgeries (two Cesarean Session and one appendicitis) during his three years of unlawful practice as a medical practitioner, while investigation, so far, revealed that he has been operating the hospital without a qualified/certified medical practitioner.
“I urge members of the public not to hesitate in giving information to the police whenever they suspect any unlawful practice of any kind. My command is working with the ministries of health in Lagos and Ogun States to rid the zone of such practitioners’.