Stray Bullet Hits Patient Awaiting Surgery

A mysterious bullet has pierced through the roof of one of the Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki’s surgical theatres and wounded a patient awaiting surgery.

Our correspondent, who visited the victim, Mr Chigozie Ebede, on his hospital bed, reports that he was about to be operated on one of his legs, fractured in an auto accident when the incident happened.

Ebede had only undergone one of the three series of operations when the incident occurred, which led to the cancellation of the other ones.

His situation was made worse as the leg, which the bullet hit was paralysed as a result of an illness during his younger days.

Narrating his experience to newsmen, Ebede said he was about undergoing the operation inside the theatre when the cry of a child attracted the attention of the doctor, who left immediately to attend to her.

“Immediately the doctor left, a tool pierced through the roof of the theatre and hit my deformed leg which made me cry loud in pains.

“My cry attracted the doctor who quickly tried to stop bleeding from the wound, as he confirmed that I had been hit by a bullet.

“A search immediately commenced inside the ward which led to the discovery of the bullet.’’

Ebede, who said he is a trader, added that he lost consciousness at that point and only regained it hours later on his bed inside one of the wards.

“I don’t know the source of the bullet but I am sure I have not offended anyone in the course of my business transactions.’’

Mr Oji Uzodinma, the Public Relations Officer, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Medical Director, confirmed the incident, saying it was being adequately handled by the authorities.

He said “it was a stray bullet that pierced through the theatre’s roof from outside the hospital, but was neither targeted at the patient nor the doctor.

We contacted, the State Security Service (SSS) confirmed that the bullet was from an AK-47 gun and the service was currently handling the matter.

Dr Onyebuchi Azubike, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) , also confirmed the incident.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact the SSS proved abortive as it was unavailable for comments.