From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The police in Ekiti State said some suspects are currently in their custody in connection with the invasion of the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, by hoodlums, on Monday.
The Command’s Spokesperson, DSP Sunday Abutu, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ogundare Dare, made the disclosure to newsmen, via a phone call, yesterday.
He said the commissioner of police has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, and those in their custody were undergoing investigation while they expected more for investigation.
Abutu said: “We have been meeting with the parties – the union, EKSUTH management, led by the CMD, the representatives of government, the family of the deceased, everybody was present in the CP’s office this morning for roundtable talk to see ways of resolving the matter. The CP has ordered a thorough investigation into it already.
“We have some people with us who are undergoing an investigation. We have invited some people who have been fingered; some of them are with us and we are still expecting more to arrive for investigation. Normalcy has, however, been restored to the hospital, our men are still in the hospital”.
Speaking on the situation in the hospital and the strike declared by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), the president of the Association, Dr Famous Adeyemi, said: “The hospital is calm, but the strike is still on. Our demands are clear that the culprits should be arrested and prosecuted immediately.
“I just got a call now that they have commenced the arrest, but until we are sure. If they arrest them, we will call off the strike and return to work.”
Recall some hoodlums, on Monday, invaded the hospital, attacked some doctors and health workers on duty, vandalised property and took away a corpse suspected to be the father of one of the hoodlums.
In a swift reaction to the development, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), EKSUTH branch, in a letter addressed to the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, and signed by its President, Dr Famous Adeyemi, directed its members to embark on indefinite strike with immediate effect, and demanded that the culprits be arrested and prosecuted. The association also implored the management and the government to provide a lasting solution to the incessant assaults on its members and ensure safety when they are in their duty post.
On their part, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Oke-Ila Division and his men immediately swung into action and launched a manhunt to arrest the culprits.