A tragic case of alleged medical malpractice has sent shockwaves through Warri, Delta State, following the death of 21-year-old Elizabeth Oyibode, who reportedly succumbed to complications from unauthorized medical treatment administered by an unregistered nurse.
The deceased, a young mother and resident of Warri, was said to have developed life-threatening complications after receiving intravenous drips and a cocktail of medications at an unlicensed chemist shop operated by a woman identified as Mrs. Odiase Stella. The makeshift facility is located on New Era School Road, off Jakpa Road in the Uvwie Local Government Area.
According to reports from the National Coordinator of the Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA), also known as No Justice, No Peace, Mr. Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, Elizabeth’s condition deteriorated rapidly following the treatment, resulting in paralysis of her brain and complete loss of speech and interaction.
“Wednesday was a heartbreaking day for me and the entire ISRCA team,” Agberen said. “We intercepted an unregistered, suspected nurse who administered drips and medications in her illegal chemist shop. That reckless act led to the tragic death of Miss Elizabeth Oyibode. Her brain and body shut down completely.”
Agberen commended the swift intervention of CSP Shaba Aliyu, Divisional Police Officer of the Ekpan Division, whose team promptly shut down the chemist and initiated an investigation.
In a disturbing twist, Agberen disclosed that Elizabeth’s fiancé, Mr. Jonathan Okuma, had informed the group of bizarre circumstances surrounding the treatment. He alleged that Mrs. Stella not only advised the couple to start living together due to their shared child but also insisted on treating Elizabeth for typhoid and malaria simultaneously, despite Jonathan’s objections.
“The nurse defied Mr. Jonathan’s warning to conclude one treatment before starting another. Worse still, after asking for funds to run diagnostic tests, she diverted the money to administer drips and medications the fiancé had previously cautioned against. Jonathan returned from work to find Elizabeth lying unconscious, hooked to drips in the shop,” Agberen added.
Elizabeth was later rushed to Warri Central Hospital, where she remained unresponsive and tragically passed away three days ago.
The Ekpan Divisional Police Headquarters has since sealed off the illegal chemist, and investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.
Efforts to reach the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, for official comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to his phone went unanswered.
Elizabeth’s untimely death has reignited calls for stronger regulation of medical practices across Nigeria, with activists demanding swift justice and better protection for vulnerable citizens seeking healthcare in underserved areas.
PIONEER NEWS 