The management of Jummai Babangida Aliyu Neonatal and Maternal Hospital in Minna, Niger State, has refuted allegations that a power outage during surgery led to the death of Mrs. Ramatu Makusidi. In an official statement, the hospital clarified that the surgical procedure performed on the deceased—a myomectomy—was completed successfully, and no fatal complications arose during the operation itself. Although a momentary power failure did occur, it happened during the final phase of the operation, specifically during wound closure, and was resolved before it could affect the outcome. According to the hospital, the power supply was restored before the backup generator was even turned on, and the patient’s vital signs were normal following the procedure.

The hospital reported that Makusidi was monitored postoperatively and transferred to a ward for continued care. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated approximately 12 hours after surgery, and despite resuscitation efforts, she passed away. The statement pointed to postoperative complications, such as internal bleeding or sepsis, as possible causes of death, which are known risks associated with myomectomy surgeries. The hospital emphasized that this tragic incident was not the result of negligence or equipment failure. They also highlighted that 15 other surgeries were successfully performed the same day by a team of only four doctors, suggesting that systemic failure was unlikely.

In contrast, the late Mrs. Makusidi’s husband, UB Shehu, strongly challenged the hospital’s version of events. He alleged that the facility was poorly equipped and grossly mismanaged. According to Shehu, the generator in use was substandard and inadequately fueled, and the medical staff lacked professionalism and training. He detailed specific instances of neglect, such as the failure to connect a drainage bag, delays in administering postoperative care, and a lack of proper monitoring when his wife began struggling to breathe. He described the hospital’s response as indifferent and accused it of lacking empathy.

Following the public outcry and conflicting narratives, the Niger State House of Assembly has initiated a formal investigation to determine whether medical negligence contributed to the death and to assess the hospital’s operational standards.