News
Family Members Protest Death of Relative at Abuja Hospital

Family Members Protest Death of Relative at Abuja Hospital
…Demands Its Shutdown
By: Michael Mike
The family of an asthmatic patient, Chiagoziem Dike, who died shortly after he was rejected by Federal Staff Hospital Gwarimpa, Abuja has called for the shutdown of the hospital.
Dike was said to have been rushed to the said hospital after experiencing asthmatic attack but was rejected without being given any attention.
Dike, 37 years old breathed his last on the way to another hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Jabi where he was subsequently pronounced dead
The family who stormed Federal Staff Hospital to protest the death of their late member, blamed his death on the failure of the staff on duty to attend to him when he was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
According to the family members Dike would still have been alive if the hospital had attended to him.
The family members wondered how the hospital’s medical staff who were on duty at the time could not at least check him before sending him away.
According to the protesting family members, the hospital is alleged to be notorious for rejecting emergency cases and thereby causing untimely death of innocent patients.
Speaking to journalists, a lady who identified herself as late Dike’s friend said he was rushed to the hospital when he had an asthmatic attack in the early hours of April 25, 2024 only for the medical staff on duty refusing to open the gate.
She alleged that they also stopped the gate men who had shown concern from opening gate.
She told journalists that they had to rush the patient from the hospital after they were denied entry for two hours.
“It was unfortunate that we lost him while trying to rush him to another hospital, Dike could not make it to the next hospital,” he said while further stating that: “I was his friend, I was with him when he had the attack. He was asthmatic. He had this attack last week on the 25 of April at about 4:30 am we drove him to this hospital, two doctors came and refused to open the gate for us.
“The security guard wanted to help us but the doctors shouted and refused to open the gate for us we were there till 6am .
The late Dike’s sister, Onyiyechi who was apparently furious, said “the hospital is a death trap, we have a lot of testimony about this hospital and there negligence we’ve heard a lot about it, people even blamed us after Dike’s death that why did we kill him by bringing him here.”
She called on the hospital’s Chief Medical Director to get to the root of the matter, saying “It is your responsibility to know what happened in your hospital.”
Shouting at the hospital staff, she said: “My brother is 37 years old. Did you know how long he has been struggling? He is my parents only son. We can’t sleep. This incident could’ve been avoided but no, you guys choose to take his life.”
Another family member, Sarah Ameachi, who was among the protesters, narrated her own bitter expereince .
Ameachi said, she was left in her pool of blood in the labour room without any attention.
She said, “They left me in the labour room I was bleeding nobody cared for me there were supposed to be three nurses attending to me unfortunately one left me to bleed after I gave birth I told them that I am going to report them but they retorted that I should thank God I am even alive.
“So after that incident I went back with my son, today it’s my brother turn who they did not touch they did not even look at him. They referred him to Jabi, but at least they could’ve done something or checked what was wrong with him even if you don’t have the equipment.”
The protesting family asked that the hospital be shutdown within the next 72 hours.
Mr. Innocent Echi, an in-law to the late Dike who issued the 72 hours ultimatum said, “what really happened was that on the 25 April my in-law Chiagoziem Dike had an asthmatic attack as at 4 am and he was rushed down to the hospital. He stayed opposite star view meaning that from there to the hospital is one or two minutes drive so the family and friends thought it would be nice to take him to the nearest hospital which is the Federal Staff Hospital, when they brought him they refused to open the gate after so much pressure they opened it and they took him in.
The doctors just looked at him and said they can’t handle the case and ask them to take him to Federal Medical Center, Jabi on reaching there, they told us that he was dead.
“Our anger is that Federal Staff Hospital could’ve given him first aid. He won’t have given up
“We had them on record when they where talking carelessly, I cannot but question whether they graduated from medical college and who issues them license.
” We are demanding justices for Nigeria so far not just him, we are asking the Minister of Health and Minister of FCT and Hospital management board to look into it.
“We intend to write petition to the necessary authorities. This matter need to be investigated and look into, we need justice,” Echi said
He added “We brought him because he couldn’t breathe properly but the hospital failed to attend to him and let our brother die. They referred us to a far hospital and let him die like that”
The Chief Medical Director, Federal Staff Hospital, Gwarimpa, Dr. Adewumi however said he was never aware of all the cases mentioned by the protesters, describing the death of Dike as an unfortunate incident.
He however pleaded with the aggrieved protesters, promising to look into the matter.
He said, ” I am not aware of all these. I understand, I know what you are feeling .
“I am going to find out and get the nurses and doctors involved and get justice for you.
” We are going to investigate please calm down I am sorry for all that has happened I am going to look into it and all that happened that day.”
Family Members Protest Death of Relative at Abuja Hospital
News
2027 Elections: UN Asks Political Parties to Focus Campaign on Policies and Ideas

2027 Elections: UN Asks Political Parties to Focus Campaign on Policies and Ideas
By: Michael Mike
As Nigeria gears up for season of electioneering, the United Nations has called on political parties to focus their campaigns on policies and ideas, not insults or divisive rhetorics.
During a speech at the Roundtable on Hate-Free Politics in Nigeria on Monday in Abuja, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall said as we head to the 2027 elections. “Allow me to share some recommendations. First, political parties must lead by example. Campaigns should focus on policies and ideas, not insults or divisive rhetoric.
“Second, parties should commit to codes of conduct that reject hate speech and promote information integrity. Third, cooperation with media and digital platforms is essential to ensure that harmful content is not amplified, while factual, reliable information reaches voters.
“Above all, we must remember that elections are about people, their dignity, their rights, their future. Hate speech strips people of their dignity and undermines the very foundation of democracy. As leaders, you have the power and the responsibility to set the tone, to show Nigerians that politics can be conducted with respect, truth, tolerance, and integrity.”
Fall added that: “On this International Day of Democracy, I call upon you today: let us work together to make democratic participation in Nigeria free from hate and grounded in information integrity and respect for human rights. Let us affirm that words matter and that in choosing our words carefully, we choose peace, unity, and progress for Nigeria. Let us act collectively to strengthen and protect democracy in and beyond Nigeria.”
He stated that this International Day of Democracy with theme “Democracy and Inclusion in an Age of Insecurity” should remind us that democracy is not only about holding elections, but about ensuring inclusion, pluralism, and public participation of everyone in a respectful and inclusive manner.
He noted that: “When falsehoods spread unchecked, especially during elections, they weaken public trust, mislead citizens, and undermine democratic choices. Promoting information integrity means ensuring that Nigerians can access reliable information, that public debate is grounded in facts, and that voters are empowered to make informed choices free from manipulation.”
He insisted that: “In Nigeria, the stakes are high. Vibrant political discourse and engagement should be moments of ‘no gree for anybody’, unity, and pride. But they can be harmful if hateful language and hostile narratives are allowed and accepted; it can incite hostility and result in violence. We know from history that hate speech has been a precursor to some of the worst atrocities, including genocide.
“The Rabat Plan of Action, endorsed by the United Nations, reminds us that advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that incites discrimination, hostility, or violence must be prohibited by law and that these laws must comply with international human rights standards, including the right of association, expression, and assembly.
“This is a cornerstone of democracy. Restrictions must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, never a pretext to silence debate. The challenge before all of us here today is to strike the right balance: engaging in open political discourse while safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting Nigerians from the harms of hate speech.”
On his part, the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu noted that since the return to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has made notable progress in democratic development.
He said: “We have witnessed successive electoral cycles, the strengthening of civil society, and the expansion of political space. Yet, our democracy remains a work in progress. Challenges such as low voter turnout, weak internal democracy in political parties, electoral violence and malpractices, weak institutional accountability, and limited inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities and harsh political climates continue to undermine public trust and democratic consolidation. Above all of these, our democratic and political processes including communication have often come under immense challenges of poor values, deep-seated hate-filled and divisive rhetoric threatening the core foundation of our nationhood.”
He noted: “The National Human Rights Commission has been at the forefront of efforts to promote ethical and hate-free politicsin Nigeria. In the 2023 elections.”
Ojukwu stated that hate speech is intricately related to human rights, either in its form or outcome, adding that: “To the person spreading hate speech, it is about right to freedom of expression, opinion, speech or belief. To the recipient of hate speech, it is a violation of the rights to dignity of human person and the freedom from discrimination based on religious belief, political, ethnic, gender, cultural or other affiliations, amongst many other human rights.
“When applied to politics, hate speech and unethical communications breed political divisions that facilitate violence, weak voter electoral participation, stifles plurality and social cohesion.”
He said: “As we count down to the 2027 General Elections, the NHRC is alarmed at the high level of hateful politics and unethical practices that seemed to have taken the centre stage with some of our political actors. Achieving a culture of responsible and value-laden political process continues to remain a challenge for Nigeria. From the independence of the election management body to unethical actions of political parties, their candidates and agents to the inappropriate use of security and law enforcement agencies.
“Vote buying and inducements of various sorts during past and recent elections have become worrisome indicators of the fragility of the Nigerian electoral culture with severe consequences on the freedom of association and the right to participation.”
He noted that: “The Roundtable on Ethical and Hate-Free Politics in Nigeria which we are convening today in partnership with the United Nations is aimed at forging a shared understanding of the drivers, patterns, and impacts of hate speech and unethical political communications in Nigerian electoral and democratic processes and to secure practical, rights-based commitments from key actors to promote ethical politics, reduce hate speech and protect pluralism and inclusive participation—especially for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and minority communities in the electoral processes leading to the 2027 elections and beyond.”
2027 Elections: UN Asks Political Parties to Focus Campaign on Policies and Ideas
News
Eight ISWAP fighters including two Commanders killed in clash with troops in Borno

Eight ISWAP fighters including two Commanders killed in clash with troops in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
At least eight Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including two field commanders and a sector leader, have been killed by Nigerian troops in Borno.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the insurgents were neutralised in an encounter with troops along the Maiduguri–Baga highway on Monday morning.

According to the sources, the clash occurred near Garin Giwa, close to Cross Kauwa, when the terrorists laid an ambush on troops on patrol.
“During the engagement, eight terrorists were killed, including two ‘Munzirs’ (field commanders) and one ‘Qaid’ (sector leader).
“They were identified as Modu Dogo, a Munzir from Dogon Chukun; another unidentified Munzir; and Abu Aisha, a Qaid from Tumbun Mota,” one of the sources said.

The source added that several other fighters were wounded, especially those who fled on foot after abandoning 14 motorcycles recovered by the troops.

The incident is the latest setback for ISWAP fighters operating around the Lake Chad basin.
End
News
Nigerian troops neutralise armed bandit, recover AK-47 in Katsina

Nigerian troops neutralise armed bandit, recover AK-47 in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
The troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised an armed bandit and recovered an AK-47 rifle during an operation in Turare Forest.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the operation, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, was based on credible intelligence received about the presence of bandits in the forest.

“The operation, which took place at about 3:00 a.m., on Monday led to the killing of an armed bandit. One AK-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect,” he said.
The sources added that patrol and monitoring activities in the area have been intensified and would be sustained to prevent further criminal activities.
Nigerian troops neutralise armed bandit, recover AK-47 in Katsina
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