From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has vowed to unravel and arrest perpetrators of Wednesday’s attack at the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja by hoodlums who carted away electronic equipment and other valuable materials as well as disrupting the activities of the hospital in the process.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Williams Aya said in Lokoja on Thursday said that the Command will synergy with other security agencies, members of the public and the Community Policing Committees across the state to ensure adequate security of lives and property of citizens.
The PPRO said that investigation into the incident is currently ongoing stressing that the Police will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.
According to the Statement, the Police has enjoyed members of the public to go about their lawful activities and strive to report any suspicious movement or objects in their neighborhood.
Recalled that hoodlums numbering over 20 according to some eye witnesses stormed the facility of the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja on Wednesday at about 8:am carrying placards and waving dangerous objects while pulling down some edifices in the hospital with files and laptops allegedly being carted away by the hoodlums.
The hoodlums according to a staff who craved anonymity went straight to the administrative block where they forced their way into the Chief Medical Director’s office and “ransacked the offices.
“They proceeded to the accounts and records office where they disrupt activities and made away with cash, files and laptops,” he explained further.
He noted that the attackers were yelling that the hospital was giving the state a bad name by alleging that they is presence of COVID-19 against the state government’s contrary position.
“They might be angry because it was the hospital that claimed it treated some Covid-19 patients before transferring them to the National centre for diseases control in Abuja,” the source noted.
The chairman of the State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Kabir Zubairu told newsmen that he learnt about the development in the morning.
He said he was informed by staff and members that hoodlums disrupted activities at the facility, while describing the development as sad and unfortunate.
Reacting on behalf of the government, the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo said, the protest was anchored by unidentified relations of a patient who FMC failed to attend to.
“Many people in the Emergency Ward were left unattended to and a mother delivered at the gate of the hospital. That generated a lot of public tension in the State.
“Tension started building since yesterday when patients and their relatives learnt of a plan by the medical staff to stage a protest today, seeking protection from Covid-19,” the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, claimed.
However, the State Police command public relations Officer, DSP Williams Aya confirmed the story and said the situation has been brought under control but no arrest at Wednesday.
