The Kebbi State Police Command on Tuesday said all the suspects linked to the circumstances surrounding the death of two young sisters at the General Hospital, Zuru, have been detained.
The development comes as the state government’s probe panel, set up to investigate the incident, has begun sittings in Zuru.
The sisters, aged three and six, reportedly died on March 18 after allegedly being administered the wrong medication during treatment at the hospital.
Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Nafi’u Abubakar, said arrests had been made and investigations were ongoing.
“We are aware of the incident. All those involved have been arrested, and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that the state government constituted a special committee to probe the controversial deaths, following public outrage over allegations that the children died after receiving a wrongful injection.
Governor Nasir Idris approved the panel, with the decision conveyed in Birnin Kebbi by the Secretary to the State Government, Yakubu Bala Tafida.
In a statement issued on Monday by the media aide to the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmad Aliyu, the panel—sitting at the hospital—heard testimonies from key witnesses, including hospital staff and the parents of the deceased.
“Medical personnel, including the principal medical officer, Dr Thomas Gode; medical officer, Dr Mohammed Fakai; and the nurses on duty from the day the girls were admitted until the third day, when they died, all appeared before the panel and were cross-examined,” Aliyu disclosed.
The statement added that the deceased’s parents, led by the father, Ibrahim Shuni, alongside other family members, also presented their case and accounts of what transpired during the period.
“As part of its assignment, the committee met with hospital staff, who highlighted the adverse effects of communication gaps among personnel.
“They stressed the need for teamwork and timely consultation in critical situations involving life-saving decisions,” the statement noted.
According to Aliyu, the chairman of the panel and commissioner for information, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK, urged staff members of the hospital to adhere strictly to medical ethics, warning that costly mistakes that could endanger lives must be avoided at all times.
“The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ismaila Yakubu Augie, also called for greater synergy and cooperation across all levels of the profession to ensure quality healthcare delivery.
“Other contributors included the Provost of Kauran Gwandu College of Nursing Sciences, Ambursa; Dr Murtala Musa Muhammed; Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Comrade Kelani Abdulwaliyyi; Director of Inspectorate, Dr Lawan Kangiwa; and Director of Nursing Services, Alhaji Hantsi Garba.
“The committee will continue its sittings, with more witnesses expected to testify.”
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