Hoodlums invade FMC Lokoja, steal laptops, files
Hoodlums, in early hours of yesterday disrupted activities at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, Kogi State when they stormed the facility brandishing clubs and displaying placards with various inscriptions.
The invasion was carried out as health workers and medical doctors were planning to address the press on affairs in the state concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hoodlums headed to the administrative block where they forced their way into the Chief Medical Director’s office and “ransacked everywhere”, according to a staff who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“They proceeded to the accounts and records office where they disrupted activities and made away with cash, files and laptops,” he explained further.
The source noted that the attackers were yelling that the hospital was giving the state a bad name by alleging the existence 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 Disease
Control (NCDC) in Abuja,” the source noted.
The chairman of the state branch, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Kabir Zubairu, told newsmen that he was informed by staff and NMA members that hoodlums disrupted activities at the facility, describing the development as sad and unfortunate.
Daily Trust reports that disagreement exists between the state government and authorities of the FMC over reported suspected COVID-19 patients and the reluctance of the state authorities to activate response mechanisms that would allow testing for the disease.
The state government alleged that the FMC was a key player in the supposed move by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and others to import the virus into the state following the disagreement over the state’s status.
However, in a swift reaction, yesterday, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said, “Tension started building up 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.”