Fleeing doctor, Idara Bassey arrested over failed BBL in Lagos

Lagos State medical doctor Idara Bassey, who had been declared wanted in connection with the death of a 36-year-old woman during a buttock enlargement surgery in Lekki Phase 1, is now in police custody.

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 following the death of Abiola, who passed away on August 26, 2024, during a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure at Bassey’s clinic.

The Brazilian Butt Lift is a cosmetic surgery involving the removal of fat from other body areas and its injection into the buttocks to enhance their shape. Despite numerous warnings from medical experts about the procedure’s risks—highlighted by the 2019 death of British woman Melissa Kerr during a similar surgery in Istanbul—many women in Lagos continue to seek out the procedure.

IDOMA VOICE reports that although the nurse who administered the injection has been arrested, the clinic’s owner, Bassey, became a suspect following her disappearance.

Abiola had traveled from her home in Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, Ibeju Lekki, to the clinic for the procedure. After the nurse injected her on Bassey’s instructions, Abiola reportedly lost consciousness and began gasping for breath, as reported by her driver.

Hundeyin stated that Bassey is now with the SCID and indicated that further details regarding potential charges would be available after the investigation.