Dr. Stanley Izuehie who is the Chief Medical Director of the National Medical Centre, Nkpologwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has claimed that gunmen did not take away four newborn babies from its facility as has been speculated, but rather, it was robbers that invaded the hospital and snatched handsets and other valuables from patients.
While dismissing the reports of stolen babies, Izuehie pointed out that the robbery incident happened two weeks ago.
There have been reports making the rounds alleging that gunmen attacked a maternity hospital in Nkpologwu in Aguata LGA of the state and took away four newborn babies.
A source in the area told journalists on Wednesday that the abduction had happened.
But Izuehie in denying the report, clarified that the robbers never took away any baby from the hospital.
He, however, added that the robbers, while snatching the items from the patients, quickly ran away when they sighted security operatives advancing towards the hospital.
He, however, pointed out that that was the only incident.
He said, ‘The information that gunmen stormed the hospital and took four babies is unfounded, untrue, and should be disregarded. A lot of people, including the state governor, the inspector general of police and the commissioner of police have shown interest in this matter and I hope it will be properly addressed.
‘The truth is that two weeks ago, there was a robbery attack in the hospital, and the robbers made away with phones and other valuables from the patients. They did not go with any baby, so that aspect should be disregarded by the public.’
Also in a swift reaction, the President General of Nkpologwu Progressive Union, Dr. Ferdinand Ezeiruka, said the source who claimed to have witnessed the incident, misinformed the general public saying the report had no basis.
According to the Ezeiruka, ‘Such thing did not happen in my community. Nkpologwu is a small town, any such thing that happens will spread quickly. So, it did not happen. Nkpologwu is a peaceful town.
‘This kind of rumoured development did not happen here. The medical director of the said hospital is my friend. There is no way such thing would happen without him relaying the information to me.’
Meanwhile, there have been mixed reactions to the incident on social media.