By Ogalla Daniel.
The Kogi State House of Assembly, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported death of Engineer Hassan Musa.
This followed allegations that medical oxygen was unavailable at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja.
The decision followed a motion Matter of urgent public importance, presented before the House, by Hon. Lawal Akus, who called for a thorough investigation into the alleged incident.
According to the motion, Engineer Hassan Musa, was admitted to the hospital’s emergency unit on Sunday, November 1, 2026, after his breathing condition reportedly deteriorated. He was subsequently transferred to the Intensive Care Unit later that night for further medical attention.
Related News
However, it was alleged that medical oxygen was unavailable at the ICU when he required emergency respiratory support.
The motion stated that the patient remained in respiratory distress throughout the night while efforts were made to secure oxygen. His family was also said to have made efforts to rent oxygen supplies from private hospitals in Lokoja, but none was reportedly available at the time.
Engineer Musa was said to have died on the morning of Monday, November 2, 2026.
SecondIng the motion, Member Representing Lokoja 1 State Constituency, Hon Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani, expressed concern over alleged negligence and lack of accountability in some public health institutions.
He recalled an earlier incident in which he and Hon. Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibril, assisted victims of a serious accident and took them to the same hospital for treatment.
According to him, the victims were initially told that there was no available bed space despite the presence of several beds. He said the situation changed only after they insisted and contacted the hospital’s management.
Tijjani said the experience underscored the need for greater accountability among health workers and public officials.
He maintained that the circumstances surrounding the reported death of Engineer Musa, must be thoroughly investigated, stressing that anyone found culpable should face appropriate sanctions in accordance with the law.
Also contributing to the debate, member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency Hon. Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin, who described oxygen as an essential and mandatory requirement in any intensive care unit, said no patient seeking medical attention in a government-owned hospital should be confronted with the absence of essential life-saving resources.
However, the lawmaker urged the House to conduct a fair and objective investigation. “While demanding accountability, we must also be known for fairness. We must establish the facts and ensure that everyone responsible is held accountable where necessary,” he said.
Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, mandated the House Standing Committee on Health and Social Services to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported death.
The Speaker said the Managing Director of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, and the Commissioner, responsible for Health, would be expected to appear before the committee to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The committee was also directed to investigate the alleged unavailability of medical oxygen and examine the hospital’s procurement, supply, storage, distribution and inventory management arrangements for essential medical consumables.
The Speaker expressed concern that despite funds appropriated for the healthcare sector, citizens could still face difficulties accessing essential life-saving facilities.
He described the situation as unfortunate and urged relevant stakeholders and medical personnel to take their responsibilities seriously.
The Speaker, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions before the completion of the investigation.
According to him, the House does not have sufficient facts to determine whether the reported death resulted from the alleged absence of oxygen, negligence by personnel or other circumstances.
He consequently expunged some proposed prayers seeking to immediately establish institutional lapses and assess the adequacy of budgetary provisions, noting that such issues should form part of the recommendations of the investigative committee after its findings.
The House expressed hope that the investigation would unravel the circumstances surrounding the death and lead to measures that would prevent similar incidents in public healthcare facilities across Kogi State.
