Health
Fear, concerns as Kano hospital turns ‘beehive’ of phone-snatching, other criminal activities
Reports from Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH), one of the largest healthcare facilities in the country and the largest state-owned hospital in Kano, indicate that in recent times, insecurity has become a pressing concern in the vicinity of the hospital.
A post by one Ahmed Deedat laments that the presence of hoodlums in the area grows with each passing day, leaving patients, their relatives, and hospital staff vulnerable to phone snatchers and armed robbers.
Recently, a midwife working at the hospital fell victim to a violent attack by phone snatchers. She was injured and robbed of her phone. Similar incidents have been reported, with staff and patients’ relatives being targeted by thugs who snatch phones, bags, and other belongings at knifepoint.
In one incident last year, a doctor was threatened while attending to patients at her desk. In another one, a nurse had to crawl under a patient’s bed to evade attackers. These alarming events highlight the growing insecurity in and around the hospital. Many people have consequently called for urgent intervention by security operatives.
Although the hospital management has made efforts to enhance security within the premises, the problem extends beyond its walls. The surrounding area has become unsafe, compromising the ability of healthcare workers to provide effective services. Day or night, the fear of attack looms large, creating what can only be described as “thuggery with impunity.”
An investigation conducted by DAILY POST confirmed an escalating insecurity in the area which is a major threat to the hospital. However, a source from the hospital, who requested anonymity, said that most of the phone-snatching incidents occur outside the hospital premises.
“Recently, some thugs snatched a phone from one of our staff members known as ‘Dogara’ and even injured him with a machete.
“Even doctors have not been spared from these criminals. There was an incident where they stopped a female doctor, Dr. Fatima, and snatched her phone after her night shift.
“Nowadays, once it starts getting dark, people become anxious if they have a phone with them. The priority is to get home safely,” the source revealed.
DAILY POST contacted the spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, but he did not respond to the several calls put across to his phone line.
Recall that in 2023, many people lost their lives to phone-snatchers in Kano. This prompted the state government to declare a state of emergency on phone-snatching in July 2023 and set up a committee comprising the police, military, NSCDC, and vigilante groups to tackle the menace.
DAILY POST tried to contact the Chairman of the Kano State Anti-Phone Snatching Committee, retired General Gambo Ahmed Mai’adua, but he couldn’t be reached on phone.
But a retired Captain, Abdullahi Bakoji who is a security analyst in Kano explained steps to follow to avoid falling victim.
According to Abdullahi, “people should avoid walking while using their phones, especially at night, and they should avoid getting into vehicles they do not trust and stay away from places known for phone snatching”.
A private hospital in Osun State has come under public attention following reports that it is detaining a newborn baby over an unpaid medical bill estimated at N700,000. The incident has generated public concern and renewed discussions about patients’ rights and medical ethics in Nigeria.
The case involves a young mother who reportedly experienced serious medical complications during childbirth, leading to extended hospital care for both her and the baby. After treatment was completed and the newborn was declared medically stable, the hospital allegedly refused to discharge the child, insisting that the outstanding bill must be settled first.
Sources say the family has already paid a significant amount for medical services but has been unable to raise the remaining balance due to financial hardship.
Relatives of the mother have appealed for understanding, stating that the continued stay of the newborn in the hospital has placed emotional and psychological strain on the family.
The hospital management is reported to have justified its position by pointing to past experiences where patients left without paying their medical bills. According to the management, unpaid debts affect the hospital’s ability to operate and provide services to other patients.
The situation has attracted criticism from members of the public and human rights advocates, who argue that holding patients, particularly newborns, over unpaid bills is unethical and contrary to basic human rights principles. Some legal observers have also suggested that such actions may conflict with existing laws and professional medical standards.
As public reaction continues to grow, there have been calls for the Osun State Government and relevant health authorities to step in, facilitate the release of the newborn, and address systemic issues that allow such incidents to occur.
The case has once again drawn attention to the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, especially the financial burden on families and limited access to affordable healthcare.
The federal government has temporarily opened a section of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway for vehicular movement.
The 47-kilometre stretch runs from the Ahmadu Bello Way junction in Victoria Island to the Eleko junction.
The road was temporarily opened on Friday after a ceremony attended by David Umahi, minister of works; Gbolahan Lawal, Oniru of Iruland; Barinada Mpigi, the chairman of senate committee on works; Dany Abboud, managing director of Hitech construction company; Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos commissioner for transportation; and officials of the ministry of works.
Olufemi Dare, federal controller of works in Lagos, said the government decided to temporarily open the section to ease traffic congestion during the Yuletide season.
Dare said the 47km section of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road was awarded to Hitech construction company for N1,067,887,381,148.61.
He said the contract sum covered the “construction of rigid pavement dual-carriage highway with accompanying drainages and culverts, median barriers, street lightings, and the relocation of public utilities like electric cables, poles, cable ducts, gas and water pipelines as required”.
“The stretch of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway that falls entirely within the Lagos State border is 103km in length,” he said.
“Up till date, a total of 30km of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) has been completed, while sand filling has been completed on the remaining 17.474km, and the whole stretch of 47.474km is thus motorable.
“The total stretch in section 1 is projected to be completed before the end of the second quarter of 2026.”
Speaking during the ceremony, the works minister said it is untrue that the federal government is only concentrating on the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, adding that other projects are currently being executed.
He added that the federal government is ready to accept constructive criticism about the project.
The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration has commended the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, for the implementation of the union’s demands.
The President of ARD-FCTA, Dr. George Ebong, commended the minister during an outreach at Durumi Area 1 Internally Displaced Persons Camp.
He said despite numerous challenges for doctors in the FCT, the minister has been able to implement some of the demands, and urged the FCTA to quickly implement the outstanding issues.
Ebong said the association is committed to providing free healthcare services to IDPs as their major duty is to save lives.
“We decided to come to the IDP camp with some drugs, and that’s why we are here.
“We are grateful for every implementation of our demands. Yes, there are fewer times that are still there, but we believe that the Minister will see to that,” he told Ekwutosblog in an interview.
Recall that the FCT doctors had embarked on several strike actions to press home their demands, including improved welfare.
ARD-FCTA suspended its latest strike recently pending full implementation of outstanding demands by the FCTA.
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