Suspected thugs earlier today, Wednesday July 1, attacked Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, chased away in-patients from the wards and prevented many from entering the hospital through the main gate, Fresh Angle International can report.
The thugs who were fully armed with sophisticated weapons, cutlasses and daggers, also reportedly destroyed properties in the hospital administrative blocks, making many people to scamper for safety.
This Newspaper understands that; some workers of the hospital wanted to stage a protest against controversial incessant deaths of their colleagues and spouses in the centre.
A source who confided in Our Kogi State Correspondent, said the thugs invaded the hospital to stop the protest.
“They destroyed offices, chased some patients out of their ward. I heard one of them, saying where is the CMD he must died.
“It was when they saw that the police had been contacted, the thugs now ran away.
“We are not surprise on this attack, because there are forces in Kogi State, who are opposing the position of FMC Lokoja, concerning COVID-19 in Kogi State,” the source added.
A special announcement placed in strategic places in the hospital, which was obtained by Our Correspondent reads: “Our proposed protest against incessant deaths of staff and staff spouses in the centre, which cannot be ascertained for COVID or not, the exposure of some staff to patients, who returned to be COVID positive and the inability to carry out testing in our centre.
“We write to inform you that the protest still holds tomorrow with the following itinerary;* 8am-9am - Exco briefing* 9am-10am - JAC Congress (the entire staff)* 10am-11am- protest/press release* 12noon upwards - back to work. VENUE: The roundabout at the entrance to records department to front of pharmacy for the sake of social distancing. Please kindly come with your face mask. The earlier you come the earlier we go. REMEMBER #everyfmclokojastafflivecounts# !!! Aluta continua ........”
Following the invasion, the hospital management immediately suspended all activities indefinitely.
It would be recalled that the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja has been in running battle with the Kogi State Government, over the reported cases of coronavirus by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, with Kogi State Government accusing FMC Lokoja, of formulating figures, insisting that Kogi State is COVID-19 free.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP William Aya, could not confirm the attack, but promised to get back to Our Correspondent whenever he gets information from the Divisional Police Officer of the area.
One of the hospital facilities destroyed by the invaders
A section of the hospital building vandalized by the thugs
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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