Monday, April 7, 2025 - The Lagos State Government has commenced a full-scale investigation into the tragic death of a pregnant woman, identified as Mrs Folajimi, who reportedly died after being refused medical attention at a private facility in Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki, allegedly due to her inability to pay a financial deposit.
The incident, believed to involve both a private hospital
and a traditional birth attendant has sparked public outrage and renewed
scrutiny over the accessibility of emergency healthcare services in the state.
Preliminary reports suggest that despite being in critical
condition, the expectant mother was denied urgent medical care, a delay that
may have proved fatal.
In a statement released on Saturday, Lagos State
Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, expressed profound sorrow over the
incident, offering condolences to the grieving family on behalf of Governor
Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state’s healthcare community.
“No woman should lose her life in the process of giving
life,” Abayomi said.
“This case will be thoroughly investigated, and we are
committed to ensuring justice for the deceased and her loved ones.”
To this end, a joint investigative panel has been
constituted, comprising officials from the Ministry of Health and the Health
Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA).
The panel will examine the registration status of the
implicated facilities and individuals, their adherence to regulatory
guidelines, and any breaches of emergency care protocols.
The commissioner reaffirmed that all health facilities
operating in Lagos whether public or private are legally required to provide
emergency medical services without prejudice or delay. Denial of care based on
financial constraints, he warned, is both unethical and unlawful.
“Healthcare providers who flout these standards will face
the full weight of regulatory and legal consequences,” Abayomi stated.
To prevent future occurrences, the state government pledged
to enhance oversight of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and private health
establishments, particularly unregistered nursing homes.
Residents were encouraged to seek treatment only from
HEFAMAA-accredited providers and report facilities operating outside their
licensed scope.
olice arrest three suspected kidnappers following abduction
of passengers in Benue
Security operatives have arrested three suspected kidnappers
in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The suspects were arrested on Sunday, April 6, 2025 around
Ogoli-Ugboju in the local government area.
The arrest comes a few days after kidnappers k!lled two
people and abducted 14 passengers in Otukpo.
The police, in collaboration with the State Protection
Guards, rescued the abducted passengers within 24 hours.
The three suspects arrested are believed to be part of a
larger gang responsible for the recent kidnappings in the area.
The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Salleh, Ashimu, and Abuh
Umaru, were chased and apprehended by security operatives who had received
intelligence on their whereabouts.
Chairman of Otukpo LG, Maxwell Ogiri, who confirmed the
arrest stated that two more suspects are still on the run, with security
agencies continuing to pursue them.
“We learnt from intelligence report that they are a gang of
five kidnappers. Three have been apprehended. Security agents are going after
the remaining two and their collaborators,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command,
Catherine Anene, also confirmed the operation.
“Operation
is ongoing in Otukpo, and I am aware that some suspects
have been arrested,” she said.
Recall that
residents of Otukpo town held a protest last Tuesday, demanding action against
the rising insecurity in the area and nearby communities.
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