Imohimi Edgal, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, has announced the arrest of 45-year-old Achegbulu Paul who was operating an illegal blood bank in his one-room apartment at Number 18 Kusa bus stop in Bariga. The suspect had kids as his donors.
Edgal said the suspect was nabbed on June 9th after he drew four pints of blood from 17 years old Ayomide Adesanya on Monday, June 4 and Saturday, June 9. Paul allegedly drained two pints each on these days.
Paul who resided at 18 Kusa bus stop Bariga reportedly lured underaged kids with 2,000 naira payment while he sold the blood for 7,000.
“The illegal blood bank was uncovered after the last victim was hospitalised. Adesanya became weak after donating four pints of blood, collapsed and is currently receiving treatment at the Bariga Hospital. The mother told us that the daughter’s friend informed them of Adesanya’s condition after she saw him on a bike looking like a corpse. Upon arrest, the illegal blood vendor confessed to sell blood to a hospital here in Lagos for 7,000 naira” the police Commissioner said
Paul also said the victim told him that he was 20 years old.
“It was until the parents came to confront me that I knew he was 17 years old”.
According to the suspect, a Benue State indigene, he was trained as a lab scientist at the Nigerian Institute of Science Technology in Plateau.
“I am a trained technician and I’ve been operating the illegal blood bank for five years now,” he confessed.
Ayomide has since been transferred to Shomolu general hospital by his parents for better medical care. He has also been transfused with 2nd pint of blood at about 5pm yesterday June 12th.
The CPhas also directed that everyone who bought blood from the suspect should be investigated and arrested because they run an illegal blood bank. The blood was not screened of HIV, Hepatitis among others.