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Uneasy Calm at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu Over Missing Female Patient

…As family of the victim cries out
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       BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU
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Uneasy calm is building up at
the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu following the alleged disappearance of a female patient at the hospital.
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It was learnt that the patient whose name was given as Blessing Nzubechi Igwe hails from Ntalakwu Oboro Village in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State but resides  at 316, New Town Layout (by Freeworld Hotel) Emene, Enugu, Enugu State.
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The missing Blessing was said to have got impregnated by a staff of the Neuropsychiatric hospital before the hospital management revealed that her whereabouts was unknown.
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Elder brother of the victim, Igwe Nwachinaemere Israel told newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday that they had raised the alarm over the alleged rape by one Kazeem, a security man in the hospital.
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His words: “My Sister Miss Nzubechi Igwe, who is 32 years old has been experiencing some psychiatric symptoms against which my family sought for urgent medical attention, at the Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital Enugu.
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“My sister was admitted at the Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital Enugu on the 9th of August 2024.
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“While she was at the hospital I did visit her often and I was monitoring her progression and providing the necessary things that were required.
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“One night while my sister was within the hospital premises, One Mr. Kazeem a security man at the hospital accosted her, lured her to a corner, in threatening violence and had a non-consensual sexual intercourse with her.
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“At the earliest opportunity, my sister reported the matter to the management of the Neuropsychiatric hospital Enugu for their intervention.
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“Despite the said complaint laid by my sister, there was a brazen apathy to investigate the incident case of rape, culminating in pregnancy.
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“With respect to the rape, I petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, in furtherance of which the culprit was to be arrested but he absconded.
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“Prior to this event, I petitioned the hospital and pleaded for the rape case to be investigated, but to no avail.
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“In a strange twist of event, in the morning hour of January 15th 2025, 1 received a call from the hospital informing me that my sister is missing and that my presence is urgently needed at the hospital.
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“When I got to the hospital they gave me the hospital bill and informed me that they do not know my sister’s whereabouts.
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“We have searched every nook and cranny of both my home State and Enugu State but she is nowhere to be found.
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“All the entreaties made to the hospital Management to give any reasonable account as to my sisters whereabouts proved futile.
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“It is discernable from the background that the life of my sister is in imminent danger.
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“We sincerely believe as a family that the hospital has a duty of care in the circumstances and under no guise should they pass the buck to anyone else. It is indeed a helpless situation and I am calling on all the relevant Departments and Agencies, security agents, the press and well-meaning Nigerians to kindly rise to this occasion and save my poor sister from being lynched untimely.
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“We therefore humbly urge that you explore all the options within the ambit of the law to give this matter the necessary visibility for justice to be done.
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Efforts to reach the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Hospital, Dr Ngozi Unaogu for reaction were not fruitful as her telephone line was switched off.

Editor
Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.
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Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.
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