Alleged Medical Impersonator Accused of Illegally Removing Woman’s Kidney in Jos

In a shocking incident in Jos, Plateau State, a businessman named Alhaji Kamal has come forward with allegations against a supposed medical doctor, accusing him of unlawfully harvesting one of his wife’s kidneys and subjecting her to chronic pain for the past five years.

The ordeal began in 2018 when Kamal’s wife, Kehinde, complained of severe stomach pain. In response, they rushed her to the doctor’s clinic located in the Nasarawa Gwong area of Jos North local government area. The doctor diagnosed her condition as a ruptured appendicitis that required urgent surgery.

Kamal explained, “About eight years ago, my mother was ill, and she sought treatment at a hospital owned by Dr. Noah Kekere in Yanshanu, Nasarawa Gwong community. Through this, I became acquainted with the doctor. When my wife fell ill in 2018, with severe stomach pain, my mother encouraged us to seek treatment from the same doctor she had seen.”

Upon arrival at the clinic, the doctor conducted a scan and swiftly recommended immediate surgery, charging them N140,000 for the procedure. Kamal became concerned about the high bill and consulted others who advised him to proceed with the operation to save his wife’s life.

Kamal continued, “The doctor asked how much I had, and I had N80,000, in addition to other charges for medication. After the operation, my wife still complained of excruciating pain, and the doctor continued to demand money from me over the years. He performed the operation from 12 pm to 8 pm that day. For the past five years, my wife has endured severe stomach pains, and I kept taking her back to the same hospital, reluctant to switch doctors who initiated her treatment.”

Recently, Kamal decided to seek a second opinion at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). Shockingly, the medical examination at JUTH revealed that one of his wife’s kidneys had been removed without her consent.

Subsequently, they reported the matter to the Nasarawa Gwong Police, resulting in the doctor’s arrest two days ago. The case was then transferred to the Commissioner of Police, who made a startling discovery. The accused individual had never been a qualified doctor but had been posing as one for over 18 years while treating patients in the area. His educational background consisted of a B.Sc in Economics and a Masters degree in Economics. Although he had attended a nursing school, he did not complete the program, instead claiming expertise in “Community Health.”

As of now, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Alfred Alabo, has not provided comments on the case. However, Kamal fervently appeals for justice on behalf of his wife and other potential victims of this alleged quack doctor.

COAS: Civilian Protection, Human Rights Issues Require Special Attention

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has said the protection of civilians and their basic rights require special attention as it takes up a lot of field commanders’ time.

He noted that the service involves interfacing with human rights advocacy groups in all theatres of operations to ensure the issues are well understood and put into practice.

Lagbaja spoke at an event organised by the Army themed, ‘National Security and the Complexities of Human Rights’ in Abuja on Wednesday.

Represented by the Chief of Administration Army, Maj. Gen. Jimmy Akpor, Lagbaja, noted that the Army was trained to conduct operations in line with humanitarian laws and authorised rules of engagement.

Lagbaja said, “The Nigerian Army Human Rights Seminar was conceptualised to engage organizations, security agencies, media, and other stakeholders involved in human rights advocacy and the protection of civilians in conflict areas on the issues relating to human rights during conflicts. The protection of civilians and their basic rights requires special attention as it takes up a lot of field commanders’ time.

“Our troops are also deployed to checkmate the activities of the separatist IPOB in the Southeast while carrying out operations to deal with ethnic and occupational-based conflicts in the North Central region of the country. The South-South and South West also have crises of militancy, cultism, and oil theft as well as an assortment of well-armed criminals.

“These deployments involve kinetic and non-kinetic approaches that require collaboration between security agencies and all well-meaning individuals and organisations. I wish to state that securing a country within the ambit of the contemporary security environment involves harnessing the efforts of citizens in a ‘whole of the nation approach’ because the operations are conducted within civilian populated areas.”

This aspect of warfare and conflict management requires the harnessing of the potentials of other actors within the multi-dimensional operating environment. Hence, the articulation of my Command Philosophy seeks to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.

SOURCE: Punch

Free Damilola Ayeni: Coalition Demands Freedom Of Nigerian Journalist Arrested In Benin Republic

The Coalition of Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF), Wednesday, demanded the immediate freedom of a Nigerian journalist detained in Benin Republic.

The journalist, Damilola Ayeni, Editor of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), is being detained at the Commisseriat Central, Parakou Police Station, in Parakou, Republic of Benin, by the Beninese police.

THE WHISTLER gathered that he was arrested on 31st August 2023, and accused of jihadism. He risks between 10 and 20 years in prison.

The CWPPF, in a release, said, “The accusation of Mr Ayeni being involved in jihadist activities lacks credible evidence and appears to be politically motivated, raising concerns about the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to suppress free speech and dissent in the subregion.

“His arrest without due process also violates internationally recognized human rights standards, including the right to a fair trial and the right to freedom of expression.

“This act by the Beninese police has raised serious concerns about the state of press freedom and human rights in Benin Republic, as well as the broader implications for journalists working across the region.”

The coalition condemned the ‘unjust arrest of Damilola Ayeni’ and called on the government of the Republic of Benin and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ‘take immediate action to rectify this situation, thereby upholding the principles of justice, rule of law and respect for human rights’.

It added, “We stand united in demanding the immediate release of Mr Ayeni, and the dropping of all unfounded charges. Diplomatic efforts, media campaigns, and advocacy will continue until justice is served.”

The CWPPF is a group of media and civil society organisations committed to upholding good governance and democracy by protecting the ethos of whistleblowing, freedom of expression and press freedom.

SOURCE: The Whistleblower

NSCDC Employs Relatives Of Operatives Killed By Terrorists In Kaduna

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Tuesday, presented employment letters to relatives of seven of its operatives who were killed by terrorists in Kaduna.

The seven operatives of the NSCDC Kaduna Command were ambushed and killed by terrorists in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state, on January 14.

The employment letters were presented to the relatives by the NSCDC Commandant in Kaduna State, Idris Adah.

Mr Adah said the gesture was in fulfilment of the promise made by the Commandant General of the corps, Ahmed Audi, to the families of the deceased.

“Today it’s with joy that I present to you the CG’s good deeds by handing over the appointment letters to the next of kin of the late officers.

“This is in fulfillment of the CG’s promise to the family; this however cannot replace the lives of our loved ones,” he added.

Mr Adah therefore charged the beneficiaries to do their best and represent their families with honour and dignity.

The commandant said that the Corps remained committed to its responsibility of protecting critical national assets.

“We are working round the clock with other security agencies to fight crime in the state so that we all can sleep with our two eyes closed,” Adah said.

He warned that anyone caught vandalising critical national assets will be arrested and prosecuted.

Baba Audi-Landan, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the CG for fulfilling the promise.

He said the jobs would not only benefit the families of the deceased operatives but society at large.

SOURCE: NAN

We’ll Never Negotiate With Terrorists, Katsina Governor vows

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, yesterday, said terrorists were increasing attacks on some communities in the state to get the government to the negotiation table.

Radda, who stated this at a briefing marking his administration’s 100 days, vowed that his government would neither negotiate with nor pay ransom to terrorists, no matter what they do.

However, he said his government would accept any terrorist that decides to surrender and renounce his ways.

Noting that his administration would work with security agencies to intensify the onslaught on terrorists to end the challenge within the shortest time possible, the governor disclosed that 1,500 youths from seven councils affected by the problem had been recruited to work with security agencies to fight terrorists.

While affirming that his government purchased armoured vehicles and related equipment worth N7 billion for security agencies, he urged the public not to expect the security problem, which had existed for several years, to be addressed within a short time.

NIGER State Governor, Mohammed Bago, is planning to recruit at least 1,500 youths as forest guards to tackle banditry and terrorism in the state.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, stated, yesterday, that his principal made the disclosure while speaking to newsmen after meeting with vigilante corps on Tuesday.

The CPS quoted the governor as saying: “We intend to employ 1,500 youths into Niger Forest Guards, so that we can take over the forests.”

Bago commended all vigilante corps for complementing the efforts of conventional security operatives in the state.

He revealed that the state government had procured equipment for the corps as an encouragement and to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.

Commander of Vigilante Corps, DSP Alhassan Mohammed (rtd), said his men were gallant, stressing that their vast knowledge of the terrain complements the efforts of the security agencies in combating bandits and other criminal elements in the state.

SOURCE: The Guardian

Kidnapped Akwa Ibom NYSC Members: Fear Grips Parents As Abductors’ Ransom Deadline Expires

Amidst growing apprehension and fear, families of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members hailing from Akwa Ibom State are grappling with the anxiety of an expiring ransom deadline set by the kidnappers of their children. The NYSC members were abducted in Zamfara State by unidentified gunmen about two weeks ago while they were travelling to the Orientation Camp in Sokoto State. Compounding their hardship, the Akwa Ibom State Government has yet to address the situation, leaving the victims’ families in a state of despair.

In a conversation with the MiddlebeltTimes, family members of eight still captive victims revealed that they had been contacted by the kidnappers with a demand for an outstanding balance of N8 million as ransom, in addition to the N5 million already paid. They were warned to comply with the deadline, set for today, or brace themselves for the worst.

One of the victims’ relatives, who chose to remain anonymous, shared with the MiddlebeltTimes the harrowing ordeal of their loved ones. “The young man departed from Akwa Ibom with other corps members on August 16, 2023, and was kidnapped the following night en route to Sokoto,” he narrated. “They initially demanded a ransom of N4 million from each of the eight NYSC members and the AKTC driver, totalling nine victims. The news devastated the mother of the boy, a poor widow and petty trader, who couldn’t afford such a large sum.”

He added, “On the subsequent day, the kidnappers contacted us again, suggesting that the families of all victims collectively raise N10 million. So far, we have managed to send them N5 million. However, they later demanded additional funds for three power bikes, each priced over N1 million. They gave us until Wednesday, September 6, to pay the remaining balance, including the cost of the power bikes, which totals N8 million. They have threatened terrible consequences if we fail to meet the deadline.”

The source highlighted the fact that, despite the families’ pleas for aid at the state House of Assembly, the government has yet to intervene to secure the victims’ release.

Another relative of the kidnapped victims, known only as Mfon, voiced his distress over the looming deadline. “We have been restless, seeking help from anyone who would listen, trying to raise the money,” he stated. “Just this morning, our village head and his wife donated N300,000 to help us. We are still short of N700,000 to reach N1 million, as each family is expected to contribute N1 million to raise the outstanding N8 million ransom.”

17.7m Nigerians hungry, 1m Others Face Acute Food Insecurity

Approximately 17.7 million Nigerians are currently experiencing hunger, with the potential for this number to rise to 25 million if urgent action is not taken. This concerning revelation was made by Nkeiru Enwelum, a Nutrition Officer for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), during a two-day media dialogue on nutrition financing in Nigeria, organized by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with UNICEF.

Enwelum highlighted that among these hungry individuals, approximately one million are suffering from acute food insecurity, a term used to describe people who are uncertain about where their next meal will come from. She also pointed out that Lagos, Borno, Katsina, and Kano have the highest number of food-insecure people in the country, and she expressed deep concern over the widespread issue of malnutrition in Nigeria.

While there is hope that Nigeria may achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target on exclusive breastfeeding by 2030, Enwelum noted that the country is falling short of achieving SDG2, which aims for zero hunger. The gravity of the situation becomes apparent when considering that approximately 35 million children in Nigeria are malnourished, making Nigeria the African country with the highest number of affected children and the second highest in the world.

Enwelum attributed this high burden of malnutrition to factors such as poverty, lack of awareness, and inadequate budgetary allocation for nutrition. Geoffrey Njoku, a UNICEF Communication Specialist, also expressed concerns that both federal and state governments are not allocating sufficient funds to combat the rising levels of malnutrition in the country. Therefore, there is an urgent need to close funding gaps through local resource mobilization and increased awareness efforts by the media.