The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has confirmed the death of Taiwo Godwin Ayodeji, a Post-Basic Nursing student, who collapsed during a football game and later died after an asthma attack. The hospital has launched an investigation into the circumstances, following an eyewitness allegation that oxygen equipment placed on him was not switched on.
Incident Details and Eyewitness Account
Ayodeji, enrolled at the School of Nursing, Aro, was a known asthma patient. According to an eyewitness, he developed breathing difficulties while playing football and was rushed to the hospital's emergency unit. A friend who accompanied him said Ayodeji was still walking unaided when he arrived at the facility.
The eyewitness claimed that although Ayodeji was connected to an oxygen supply, the equipment was not switched on. By the time the medical team fully attended to him, his condition had worsened significantly, with a weak pulse and dilated pupils already noted. Attempts to secure his airway proved unsuccessful, and he was subsequently pronounced dead.
Second Death Raises Concerns
The same eyewitness alleged that this was the second death involving a nurse from the School of Nursing, Aro, at the facility within the same year, a claim that has deepened unease among students and colleagues at the institution.
Hospital's Official Response and Investigation
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Public Relations Officer Ajibola Joseph Oluwatoyin Abiola on behalf of the Acting Provost and Medical Director, the hospital confirmed that Ayodeji died while receiving care at its General Medical Practice Unit (GMPU). The management said it was "deeply saddened" by the loss and announced that an investigation into the circumstances of his death was underway. The hospital gave assurances that the inquiry would be thorough, impartial, and transparent, and urged the public to remain calm while the process continues.
The incident has sparked grief and calls for accountability among students and staff. The hospital's investigation is expected to determine whether negligence played a role in the death, and the outcome will likely influence future safety protocols at the facility.
