The Kebbi State Government has taken a decisive step in its investigation into the heartbreaking deaths of two children at the General Hospital in Zuru by bringing in high-level security agencies. In a move to ensure the process remains transparent and credible, the state has officially involved the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to assist the investigative panel.
According to a statement from Yahaya Sarki, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, this expansion of the probe is a direct response to the gravity of the situation. The investigation is centered on deeply troubling allegations that the two children, who belonged to the same father, died after being administered a fatal injection. These claims have caused significant public concern and led to serious questions regarding medical negligence within the facility.
Governor Nasir Idris had previously established a committee to look into the matter, but the scope has now been widened to include both security personnel and additional medical experts. Reports indicate that the government has approved the inclusion of Dr. Lawal Haruna, Director of Inspectorate, alongside Abdulwalid Kilani, the State Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and Hantsi Garba, the Director of Nursing Services.
The high-powered committee is led by the Commissioner for Information, Yakubu Ahmed, and features other top officials including the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Sama’ila Augie, and the Commissioner for Establishment, Manu Dogondaji. Dr. Abubakar Zaki, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, is serving as the secretary for the panel.
With the DSS and the Police now part of the team, the investigation is expected to dive deeper into both the immediate causes of the deaths and any underlying systemic failures. The panel’s mandate is not just to identify those responsible for the incident but also to recommend strict measures that will prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again in the state’s healthcare system.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to seeing that justice is served for the grieving family and has directed the committee to conclude its work and submit a final report within the original timeframe. This move is seen as a vital step toward restoring public confidence in the safety and accountability of the state’s medical institutions.
