The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has confirmed that the death of Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, was caused by medical negligence at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre.
Umar died last Sunday while undergoing a corrective surgery to remove a pair of scissors allegedly left inside her during an earlier operation at the government-owned health facility.
Umar’s relative, Abubakar Mohammed, said the deceased had suffered severe abdominal pain for months after undergoing surgery at the hospital in September 2025.
Consequently, the hospital’s management board said it ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
In a statement on Tuesday, spokesperson of the board, Samira Suleiman, said a preliminary investigation confirmed that surgical scissors were mistakenly left inside Umar’s body during the earlier procedure.
“The preliminary findings of the investigation ordered by the Executive Secretary, Dr Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed clear medical negligence, as surgical scissors were left inside the patient after the procedure,” Suleiman said.
She added that the board had taken immediate disciplinary action against those involved.
According to the board, the matter has been referred to the Kano state medical ethics committee for a comprehensive probe and appropriate disciplinary measures.
“As an immediate step, the Board has suspended three personnel directly involved in the case from carrying out any clinical responsibilities, pending the outcome of further investigations,” the statement reads.
“The board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathises with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form.”
