Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Kano State, Nigeria — Kano health authorities have ordered a full and formal investigation into the death of Aishatu Umar, a mother of five who died earlier this month following complications believed to be linked to a surgical error at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre in Kano State. The probe, initiated by the Kano State Hospitals Management Board, comes amid widespread public concern and family accusations of medical negligence.
In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, announced that the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, has directed an “immediate and thorough investigation” to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. The statement emphasised that the inquiry will be transparent, impartial and professional, and that appropriate regulatory actions will follow should negligence be confirmed. Patient safety and healthcare standards are being cited by the Board as key priorities of the review.
The decision follows unverified but widely shared reports from Umar’s family alleging that a pair of surgical scissors was left inside her abdomen after an operation at the urology centre in September 2025. According to relatives, the retained surgical instrument caused persistent and severe abdominal pain, which Umar endured for approximately four months before detailed medical tests revealed the foreign object. Plans were reportedly underway for corrective surgery when she died at about 1:00 a.m. earlier this week, shortly before the procedure could take place.
Family members, speaking through Abubakar Mohammed on social media, described the alleged circumstances as “gross professional negligence”, questioning how an instrument could be forgotten inside a patient by trained medical personnel. They have called on relevant authorities, including the Kano State Government and national health regulatory bodies, to ensure accountability and reforms that could prevent similar incidents in the future.
The probe ordered by the hospitals board is expected to examine medical records, surgical protocols, post‑operative follow‑up procedures, and staff conduct at the facility. Officials said the inquiry will review both medical and administrative procedures to determine whether systemic failures or individual lapses contributed to the tragic outcome.
Public reaction to the news has been one of shock, anger and calls for accountability, with community members and advocacy groups expressing deep concern about patient safety in public hospitals. The case has sparked debate around healthcare quality and oversight in Nigeria, with critics arguing that incidents perceived as negligent erode public trust in the medical profession.
As of now, the management of the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre has not issued an official response to the family’s allegations or the ongoing investigation. Kano State Ministry of Health officials are said to be preparing further statements and may hold a press briefing once key facts are established.
The outcome of the probe could have significant implications for healthcare regulation and enforcement in Kano and across the country, particularly regarding surgical safety standards, staff training, and post‑operative care protocols. Families and health watchdogs are watching closely for concrete actions that could reinforce accountability and prevent future tragedies.
If confirmed, the case would join a series of high‑profile medical negligence concerns in Nigeria, underscoring the ongoing need for rigorous oversight, improved procedural safeguards and strengthened patient rights advocacy within the health system.
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