Police arrest five hospital employees over missing placenta, umbilical cord in Kwara

Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have commenced discreet investigations into the alleged missing umbilical cord and placenta of a newborn baby boy at Government Cottage Hospital, Iloffa, in Oke-Ore Local Government Area of the state.

Five employees of the medical facility, including a medical doctor, are now in police custody, the spokesperson of the command, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, confirmed to DAILY POST on Saturday.

She said, “The unfortunate incident of the missing umbilical cord is true, discreet investigation is ongoing at the state criminal investigation department, further details will be communicated to you upon its conclusion.”

Reports reaching DAILY POST indicated that the incident occurred last Sunday.

The suspects in detention over the incident include one Dr Ajibola, nurses Rukayat Adeloye, Aishat Awolusi, Peace Alabi, and Toyin Adewunmi, a ward attendant.

The traumatised mother of the baby, who is an English language teacher at Orofa High School, Odo-Owa, Mrs. C.B Williams, said she raised the alarm after the doctor and nurses who delivered the baby failed to produce the placenta and umbilical cord.

“Some of their staff started telling me they were sorry that there was a mistake. The attendant said she had thrown the placenta inside a pit but they could not find it suggesting a dog might have eaten it.

“That was when I flared up with some members of my church who were also present that it’s not possible that they just have to present the placenta”.

Mrs Williams’ father, Mr Rufus Sanya, said he suspected foul play.

“How could an umbilical cord and the placenta of a new baby be missing when we all know the implications?

“I urge the police to do a thorough investigation and unravel the mystery behind this disappearance. That is only when justice would be said to have been served and we would be at peace with ourselves,” he added.