The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Williams Adetunji for allegedly producing and selling unapproved and unsafe substances he falsely claimed could cure fibroids.

The arrest followed a petition by law firm Roberts Rasaaq Agboke and Associates on behalf of a young woman who reportedly suffered severe health complications after using the products marketed by Adetunji.

Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta on Tuesday, a representative of the firm, Hassan Yakubu, said their client sustained extensive internal injuries after using the substances as instructed. He alleged that Adetunji had no medical training, licences, or regulatory approvals to manufacture or distribute the products.

Yakubu identified the substances as Enervate Capsules and Tumorex, alleging that laboratory analysis revealed that they contained caustic soda and other harmful chemicals.

According to him, the victim suffered chemical burns, scarring, obstruction of the vaginal canal, prolonged abnormal bleeding, severe pain, reproductive complications, and other long-term physiological damage. She is now said to require reconstructive surgery estimated at ₦1.3 million, in addition to further treatment for the fibroid condition that the suspect allegedly claimed his products could cure.

He added that several other women had reportedly experienced similar complications, alleging that some were removed from online groups after raising concerns about the products.

Yakubu said, “Relying on the false representations by Mr. Adetunji, our client purchased the medications on 6 September 2023. Upon commencing use and following the explicit instructions, she suffered severe internal injury. Subsequent medical examination confirmed that the inserted product contained caustic, corrosive chemical agents, resulting in damage to vaginal tissue.”

The law firm said it petitioned the police in November, demanding Adetunji’s arrest and prosecution under relevant laws.

Confirming the development, Ogun Police Command spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said the suspect is already in custody.

“The man is in our custody. I have confirmed from the O/C of the Anti-Cultism Unit. Investigation is ongoing, and more complainants are coming forward to identify him as the person who sold the drug to them. As soon as investigations are concluded, he will be charged to court,” Babaseyi stated.

The case comes amid growing national concern over unsafe herbal products and unregulated alternative medicine practices. In February, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) proposed the death penalty for drug peddlers, arguing that only stringent punishment can deter offenders whose actions often lead to severe harm or death, particularly among children.