Residents of Kano State have been thrown into shock and anger following allegations that a woman, Aishatu Umar, died after a surgical procedure in which doctors allegedly left a pair of scissors inside her body.
Aishatu reportedly died at about 1 a.m. on Monday, after enduring four months of intense abdominal pain following a surgery carried out in September 2025 at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre in Kano.
A family member, Abubakar Mohammed, who disclosed the incident on social media, said Aishatu, his sister-in-law, fell ill while living in Kano and was taken to the hospital for surgery. According to him, her condition worsened shortly after the operation.
“She was in constant pain. For four months, she cried and screamed every day,” Mohammed said.
He alleged that the family repeatedly took her back to the hospital, but doctors dismissed her complaints and continued to administer painkillers without conducting detailed medical examinations.
The family said it was only two days before her death that doctors carried out scans, which allegedly revealed that a pair of surgical scissors had been left inside her abdomen during the earlier operation.
“By the time they discovered it, it was already too late,” Mohammed said. “They were preparing to remove it, but her life had already slipped away.”
Describing the incident as medical negligence, the family questioned how such a serious mistake could have occurred in a health facility.
“How can trained medical personnel forget scissors inside a patient’s body?” Mohammed asked. “Is that not negligence?”
The death of Aishatu Umar, who is survived by her husband and five children, has sparked widespread fear and anger, with many residents expressing concern over patient safety and healthcare standards in the state.
The family has called on the Kano State Government, health authorities, and relevant regulatory agencies to urgently investigate the matter and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
According to the family: “This is not only about Aishatu. If this can happen to her, it can happen to anyone. We want justice.”
While the management of the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre has yet to issue a direct response, the Kano State Ministry of Health has confirmed the incident.
The ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Nabilisi Abubakar Kofar Na’isa, said a committee had been set up to investigate the allegations.
In a statement signed by Samira Suleiman, Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Hospitals Management Board, the Executive Secretary, Dr Mansur Mudi Nagoda, expressed sympathy with the family and announced an immediate investigation.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar,” the statement read. “A thorough investigation has been ordered to establish the facts surrounding the alleged incident at Abubakar Imam Urology Centre.”
The board assured the public that the investigation would be transparent and professional, adding that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken if negligence is confirmed.
“Patient safety remains our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of healthcare delivery in Kano State,” the statement added.
The case has continued to attract strong reactions online, with many Nigerians demanding accountability and stricter monitoring of medical facilities across the state.
