Metro

Debt: Hospital Detains Nursing Mother For Four Months

Published

3 years ago

September 6, 2022

A middle-aged nursing mother, identified as Mrs Chinenye Agu, is seeking help as the hospital where she put to bed has refused to release both her and the new born baby since May.

Agu, who hailed from Ezeagu in Enugu State, but resides at Afor-Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, said she had the baby through a caesarian operation at the Ifechukwu Hospital, Umuoji, Idemili South Local Government Area, in May.

She said they were initially charged N480,000 but has paid N340,000 remaining a balance of N140,000.

She lamented that their situation worsened because her husband, whose name she mentioned as Anthony Agu, had lost his means of livelihood as a commercial driver when his vehicle was stolen during the pregnancy.

According to her, the husband, who now does bus conductor, had been depositing his daily returns together with contributions from some good spirited individuals at the hospital, where they were able to pay N340,000 out of the initial N480,000 charged by the hospital.

Mrs Agu, who spoke to journalists at the hospital on Tuesday, is, soliciting financial assistance from good spirited individuals and philanthropists to enable her take her baby home.

She said her family has pleaded with the hospital management to let her and her baby go, so they could be making payment by instalments, until they offset the balance, but the hospital refused.

She said, “We have been at the hospital since May as a result of our inability to pay the medical bill of N480,000. I delivered through a caesarian section and the amount they billed us was beyond us. This is our first child.

“My husband is a commercial driver, he lost his vehicle when I was pregnant and since then he has been doing bus conductor and also been making returns on a daily basis where, together with contributions we gathered, we have been able to pay N340,000 out of the original amount.

“Now, I want to go home to take proper care of my baby and that is why I am soliciting for help from kind spirited individuals. I and my baby have been managing to feed all this while, but I thank God that the baby is okay.”

Efforts to speak with a top management of the hospital proved abortive as calls put across to their telephone line were not taken as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, some public commentators have condemned the decision of the hospital management to detain the woman and her baby.

A lawyer said, “I don’t know which law permits a hospital to detain its patient over non payment of hospital bill. This is totally unfair.”

Related Topics:Anambra Enugu hospital nursing mother

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Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone In Igbesa

Published

13 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Editor

A fire broke out on Sunday at the Ogun State Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa.

As of this report, there has been no official statement on what caused the incident. However, a resident said the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The source added that the fire spread quickly, affecting nearby houses before emergency responders arrived.

Details later…

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.