Tragedy struck in Abuja on Friday April 25, 2025 when a 35-year-old pregnant woman, Chekwube Chinagorom, died after a failed caesarean section at an illegal hospital in Durumi.
According to reports, the victim was rushed to Asokoro District Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival. Her baby survived and is now receiving care at the hospital.
Investigations revealed that Afolmi Hospital, where the surgery was carried out, was operating without registration or proper medical personnel.
Following the incident, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ordered a massive crackdown on all unregistered hospitals and quack medical workers in Abuja.
Wike directed that anyone found running or working in an illegal health facility should be arrested and prosecuted immediately.
Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the directive in a statement on Saturday.
He described the situation as tragic and avoidable, stressing that pregnant women in the FCT had no reason to patronize unsafe facilities.
Olayinka noted that vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, are entitled to free enrollment in the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS).
He added that the scheme covers access to comprehensive maternal services, including free caesarean sections at designated general hospitals.
“Our pregnant women must take advantage of this opportunity instead of risking their lives with quack doctors,” he said.
A team from the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee (PHERMC) visited Afolmi Hospital after the incident.
They met only one worker, Simon Elisha Godiya, on duty, who claimed to be a Junior Community Health Extension Worker.
Godiya confessed that the surgical operation was carried out by one Murtala Jumma and another unidentified individual.
Efforts to trace Jumma have so far failed, as his phone lines remain switched off.
Shortly after the inspection, police officers from Durumi Divisional Headquarters arrived at the scene.
The premises were sealed off, and the case was formally handed over to the police for full investigation.
The Wike administration has vowed to bring all culprits to justice and prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, Wike reiterated that his administration has zero tolerance for maternal mortality and medical malpractice.
He urged residents to report illegal medical facilities to the authorities without delay.
