ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE – A routine medical check-up nearly turned into a life-altering tragedy for an Ogun State resident after a fraudulent diagnostic center issued a fake scan result recommending immediate surgery. The incident has led to the arrest of the laboratory operator and the immediate sealing of the facility by state health regulators.

The victim, identified as Mrs. Adeola (name changed for privacy), visited a local private laboratory in the Mowe-Ibafo axis after experiencing persistent abdominal pain. After a brief and unprofessional examination, the lab operator presented her with a scan report alleging a "ruptured appendix" and "internal mass," insisting she undergo surgery within hours to save her life.

Terrified and unprepared, Mrs. Adeola’s family began frantic efforts to raise funds for the procedure. However, a family friend—an experienced nurse—noted inconsistencies in the lab's letterhead and the vague terminology used in the report.

Acting on a hunch, the family rushed Mrs. Adeola to a government-certified General Hospital for a second opinion. To their shock, a fresh set of scans conducted by licensed radiologists revealed that her appendix was perfectly healthy and there was no internal mass. The "emergency" was entirely manufactured.

The investigation into the fraudulent facility revealed a chilling level of deception, starting with the discovery that the operator possessed no medical degree or radiography certification. Investigators found that the scanning equipment on-site was entirely non-functional; the operator had been generating "scary" results using pre-saved digital templates to manipulate patients.

Furthermore, the raid uncovered a hoard of forged documents, including multiple counterfeit medical licenses falsely attributed to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Following a tip-off from the victim’s family, officers from the Ogun State Police Command, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, raided the facility. The operator was caught in the act of preparing a similar "emergency" result for another unsuspecting patient.

"We are dealing with a predator who preyed on the fear of death to extort money," said the State Commissioner for Health. "This isn't just fraud; it is attempted murder through medical negligence."

The suspect is currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) as the legal process against him begins. He faces a litany of serious charges, including the operation of an illegal health facility and the criminal impersonation of a medical professional. Additionally, prosecutors are pursuing counts of forgery and obtaining money under false pretenses, reflecting the calculated nature of the diagnostic scam.

In the wake of this incident, the Ogun State government has issued a public advisory. Citizens are urged to verify the authenticity of diagnostic centers via the State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) portal.

Health officials emphasize that for any major diagnosis—especially those requiring surgery—patients should always seek a triple-check at an accredited government hospital or a well-known, multi-specialty private facility.