Tension at UMTH as patients, relatives locked out by security officer

By: Zagazola Makama

A tense situation is unfolding at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) after the Chief Security Officer, Mr Izge Ibrahim, allegedly ordered a total lockdown of the gates, preventing patients and their families from gaining access.

The action, which has left hundreds of patients and relatives stranded outside, has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about the safety and welfare of those on admission.

Families lamented that they were barred from delivering food and essential items to their loved ones, after Ibrahim allegedly introduced a controversial directive banning meals in food flasks, describing them as “a new way of stealing.”

The development has thrown patients into hunger and distress, with some reportedly left without meals for hours. Relatives who spoke to Zagazola described the order as inhuman, reckless, and life-threatening.

“This is wickedness. How can a man come in and suddenly shut down the hospital gate, blocking us from seeing our sick relatives? People are starving inside. Patients need food and care, not punishment,” one aggrieved relative said.

Zagazola observed chaotic scenes at the hospital entrance, as desperate relatives argued and pleaded with security personnel while patients inside reportedly cried for help. The situation created an atmosphere of anger and fear, with growing concern that lives could be endangered if urgent action is not taken.

As at the time of filing this report, the hospital management has not made any official statement on the matter.
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Four killed, 15 injured as rival cult groups clash in Anambra

By: Zagazola Makama

Atleast four persons have been killed and 15 others injured following a suspected cult-related attack in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area.

Sources said that the attack occurred late on Thursday during a family meeting ahead of the burial of one Uche Ndilika, a plumber and alleged member of the Aye cult group.

“Armed men suspected to be cultists stormed the gathering at Ezi village, Ogidi, and opened fire on the mourners.

“Police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ogidi, responded swiftly and rushed the victims to Iyi-Enu Teaching Hospital, where four were confirmed dead and deposited at the morgue for autopsy.

“Fifteen others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries and are receiving treatment at Iyi-Enu Teaching Hospital and Twinkle Hospital, Ogidi,” the sources said.

The sources said 16 expended cartridges were recovered at the scene of the attack.

The sources added that preliminary investigations linked the assailants to the rival Bagger cult group, noting that detectives had commenced a manhunt for the perpetrators.

Four killed, 15 injured as rival cult groups clash in Anambra

Army troops comb forest after bandit attack in Kwara

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have joined forces with the police and local hunters to comb Awi Forest in Omu Aran, following a bandit attack on vigilantes that led to the destruction of 23 motorcycles.

It was gathered that about 50 local government vigilantes had mobilised to the forest on Sept. 10, after receiving a distress call that suspected bandits were sighted in the area.

According to sources, the vigilantes engaged the hoodlums in a shootout before retreating.

“On getting back to where they parked their motorcycles, they discovered that 23 motorcycles had been set ablaze, presumably by the bandits,” said the sources.

He explained that the army, police operatives and local hunters had since embarked on a joint clearance operation in the forest to track down the criminals.

Army troops comb forest after bandit attack in Kwara