Kwara: Doctor, nurses detained over missing placenta, umbilical cord

Kwara State Police Command has arrested five health workers over alleged mysterious disappearance of umbilical cord and placenta of a newly born baby in Oke-Ero local government area.

It was gathered that the incident happened at the cottage hospital in Iloffa last Sunday.

The suspects, Daily Trust learnt, who are currently being detained in Ilorin after interrogation on Thursday include one Dr Ajibola, nurses Rukayat Adeloye, Aishat Awolusi, Peace Alabi and Toyin Adewunmi, a ward attendant.

Sources said it took efforts from elders of Odo-Owa community to prevent the restive youths from torching the hospital over the incident.

Speaking on the issue on Friday, the traumatised mother of the baby who teaches English language in 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’re 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 a placenta of a new baby be missing when we all know the implication?

“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 said.

Contacted on Friday, spokeswoman of police command, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, confirmed the incident, adding that operatives have commenced a discreet investigation into the matter.