Dr. Idara Bassey, the Lagos-based medical doctor who was declared wanted in connection with the death of a 36-year-old woman during a buttock enlargement surgery at a clinic in Lekki Phase 1, is now in police custody.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed on Tuesday that Bassey is currently under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti. Bassey had fled after Abiola died during a buttock enlargement procedure at her clinic on August 26, 2024.
The procedure, known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), involves transferring fat from other areas of the body to the buttocks to enhance their size and shape. However, medical experts have warned about the risks associated with the surgery, highlighted by the 2019 death of a 31-year-old British woman, Melissa Kerr, during a similar procedure in Istanbul.
A BBC report from 2023 noted that Kerr had not been adequately informed about the risks before undergoing the surgery. Despite such warnings, the popularity of the procedure persists, with many women, particularly in Lagos, claiming to have undergone it successfully.
The police have arrested the nurse who administered the fatal injection under Bassey’s instructions. Following the incident, Bassey became a suspect and disappeared, leading to her being declared wanted.
Abiola had left her home in Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, Ibeju Lekki, to undergo the procedure at the clinic. After the nurse administered the injection, Abiola reportedly lost consciousness and began gasping for breath, as her driver later reported to the police.
When asked about the progress of the investigation on Tuesday, Hundeyin confirmed that Dr. Bassey is now in SCID custody. He noted that whether Bassey will face charges, and on what grounds, will be determined after the investigation is complete.
