The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has suspended three medical personnel at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre following the death of Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, after a pair of surgical scissors was allegedly left inside her body during a medical procedure.
Umar reportedly underwent surgery at the government-owned hospital in September 2025. After the procedure, she began to complain of persistent pain and discomfort. Despite returning to the hospital several times, her condition reportedly worsened.
It was only after further tests and scans were eventually carried out that doctors discovered a pair of surgical scissors inside her abdomen. The discovery came months after the initial procedure.
The case gained public attention after a relative shared her story online, triggering widespread outrage and renewed calls for accountability within the healthcare system. Umar later died on January 11, 2026, while efforts were being made to address the complication.
In response to the public outcry, the Kano State Hospitals Management Board said a preliminary investigation ordered by its Executive Secretary, Dr Mansur Mudi Nagoda, confirmed that surgical scissors were left inside the patient’s body after the operation.
The board announced the immediate suspension of three medical personnel directly involved in the procedure and said they have been withdrawn from clinical duties.
The incident has since been referred to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee for further investigation, as questions continue to be raised about patient safety and professional standards at public health facilities.
For Aishatu Umar’s family, however, the suspensions come too late. She leaves behind five children, and a loss that has deepened public concern over preventable medical errors and the human cost when systems fail.
