An investigative report has revealed how a “fake doctor” conducted illegal abortions for young girls in the Yan-Doya community in Jos, the Plateau capital.
The report was undertaken by a freelance journalist from Kano with support from the Women Radio Centre and MacArthur Foundation.
The report highlighted how residents of the Yan Doya community have been patronizing Ali Madida who allegedly operated an illegal medical facility.
Madida was also accused of introducing girls who visited his facility for medical attention to prostitution under the guise of providing them with a means of livelihood.
The report said many girls below the age of 15 were forced into prostitution due to “poverty, illiteracy, and poor parental care” in the community.
According to the report, young girls who visited the clinic were matched with men who took advantage of them for N5,000.
The report said the girls were forced to return to the facility for an abortion when they got pregnant and were made to pay the same amount for the procedure.
In the report, a source identified as Khadija said she visited the clinic with her friend Halima for an abortion.While Khadija survived the operation, her friend died after she suffered some complications.
“After some months, I noticed that I was pregnant, so I went back to Dr. Ali, and he aborted the pregnancy for me. I suffered from stomach pain for months. I nearly died before I got myself back,” she told the reporter.
“A few months later, a friend of mine, Halima, went to him to abort her pregnancy, and in the process of the abortion, she got some complications and died.”
Many victims who spoke with the reporter talked anonymously so as not to “lose business deals” with Madida.
The report said Madida had been arrested by law enforcement agencies many times but was later released.
Speaking during the virtual press conference on the investigative report, Toun Sanaiya, chief executive officer (CEO) of Women Radio Centre, commended the reporter for her “bravery and audacity” in uncovering the crimes.
Taiwo Adeleye, the project officer of the centre, said relevant authorities have assured that Madida would be arrested and his license would be revoked.
Adeleye added that Madida is already renovating the “unregistered clinic.”