A retired Professor of Surgery, Dr. Shima Gyoh, has urged Nigerians to stop killing wall geckos, dispelling widespread misconceptions that the small reptiles are dangerous to humans.
In a message shared on his Meta account, the respected surgeon declared: “DON’T KILL WALL GECKOS! Not dangerous to humans. Helpful friends! Swallow mosquitoes and cockroaches.”
The advice comes amid persistent local beliefs that wall geckos are poisonous or capable of causing serious harm to humans.
Prof. Gyoh’s intervention may therefore help put to rest a long-standing mystery surrounding the reptiles, which are commonly found on walls and ceilings in Nigerian homes.
A graduate of Durham University and Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the West African College of Surgeons, Gyoh is a retired Professor of Surgery at Father Adasu University College of Health Sciences, Makurdi.
He devoted more than five decades to healthcare, medical education and public service, combining clinical practice with leadership and advocacy for improved healthcare delivery.
His contributions to Nigeria’s health sector include playing a key role in strengthening medical regulation and revitalising the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, helping to improve professional standards and healthcare delivery nationwide.
