The Benue State Government has ordered the closure of St. John’s Hospital in Otukpo following reports of unsafe and substandard medical practices, including an incident on November 25 in which a patient reportedly had both breasts removed without following clinical guidelines.

The state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, confirmed on Saturday that the hospital was shut down for failing to adhere to established medical protocols. He explained that the ministry had been monitoring the facility after receiving complaints of malpractice, and subsequently dispatched an enforcement team on Friday.

The inspection team was led by the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Agbadu Joshua, alongside Dr. Alex Iorbo, Chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association, and Desk Officers for Otukpo and Gboko LGAs, who were already conducting routine field checks in the area.

Dr. Ogwuche stated, “This action is part of the state government’s intensified campaign against quackery and unsafe medical practices. During the inspection, the hospital was found operating under substandard and unsafe conditions and failing to follow approved treatment protocols. The malpractices included a reported case in which both breasts of a patient were removed without adherence to clinical guidelines.”

He added that the hospital was “immediately sealed,” and the Medical Superintendent has been issued a formal query and instructed to report to the ministry for further investigation on Monday.

Dr. Ogwuche reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding residents, emphasizing that authorities will continue to enforce ethical, safe, and high-quality healthcare across the state. He warned that any facility found putting patients at risk would face strict action and urged healthcare workers to maintain professional standards.

The closure follows the earlier shutdown of St. Peter and Paul Community Health Centre and Maternity in Lessel, Ushongo LGA over serious professional misconduct, highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts to sanitize the state’s health sector.