Shocking news hit the airwaves early Wednesday when it was reported that unknown gunmen attacked and disrupted a scheduled press conference at a hospital in the state.

– Just In : Unknown Dozens of gunmen attacks federal medical centre Lokoja, Kogi State. pic.twitter.com/PVJtK4Bv4N

— Postsubman (@Postsubman) July 1, 2020

 

The attack took place at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Lokoja, Kogi state. The conference had been scheduled by the hospital to demand a COVID-19 screening centre in the state and to also table the challenges health workers encounter due to the pandemic. It was during this media briefing that gunmen arrived, shooting sporadically; causing attendants at the meeting to flee.

These men were also reported to have stolen laptops, valuable documents and devastated properties at the facility, drawing in a ton of reactions from Nigerians as many commented on the shocking incidence.

Some Nigerians who commented on the development declared that the Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello doesn’t care about his constituency as some even alleged that the Governor himself was responsible for the attack.

Gov Yahaya Bello day flex life jarre ???.. He don't care about you..
Kogi people don enter one chance ? pic.twitter.com/2EzLYwO823

— Abdullahi Suleiman (@Abduezhin) July 1, 2020

This is the reason why Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello organised gunmen to inflict harm and terror on a peaceful gathering. pic.twitter.com/6mszcYqPb0

— LawrenceOkoroNGR? (@LawrenceOkoroTL) July 1, 2020

The action of Kogi State Government to this is highly undemocratic.
When you fail to listen to the cry of the people and you still attack them for planning a press brifeing which of their action is undemocratic to warrant such molestation they received today. pic.twitter.com/y51KJcXKDe

— Isa Abass Usman (@Enitan_12) July 1, 2020

If you're from Kogi state and you voted for Yahaya Bello, you're one of the problems we have in this country.

— consigliere (@thanos_zer) July 1, 2020

 

Many expressed displeasure at the events; noting that this attack had caused the hospital to shut down. They expressed concerns that the state is in dire need of all the healthcare it can get, especially in this COVID-19 era.

Safe to say that the health system of Lokoja, Kogi state is on lockdown.

Fall sick at your own risk…??‍♀️

— SHOLA (@Showbosss) July 1, 2020

 

The Government of Kogi has however replied, revealing according to their findings, that the violence ensued when relatives of patients in the facility protested against the negligence of the management of the hospital in attending to them. They urged the populace to remain calm as the government is determined to carry out further investigations.

FMC Scuffle : Kogi State Government reacts:

The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to the unfortunate scuffle between the Staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja and some patients’ relatives at the hospital, this morning…… pic.twitter.com/8KiNbIT59D

— Folasade Jethro Atteh (@Folasadeatteh1) July 1, 2020

Displeased patients’ relatives attacked Kogi hospital – Yahaya Bello https://t.co/SmmH6RJJ3V

— QEDNG | Nigerian news and celebs (@qedng) July 1, 2020