Kogi State Polytechnic Final-Year Student Dies After Failed Abortion in Lokoja

A final-year student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dorcas Omotosho, tragically died in Lokoja after a failed abortion at a private clinic. Learn the details.

Tragedy in Lokoja: Final-Year Student Loses Her Life After Abortion

In a heartbreaking incident, Miss Dorcas Omotosho, a 26-year-old final-year student of Kogi State Polytechnic, reportedly died after attempting to terminate a six-month pregnancy.

The tragedy occurred on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Al-Hassan Clinic and Maternity, a private medical facility located in the Sarkin Noma community, Lokoja Local Government Area, Kogi State.

How the Incident Happened

According to reports, the student visited the private clinic seeking an abortion procedure for her advanced pregnancy.

The abortion was successfully carried out by the clinic’s medical staff.
However, severe complications followed, as the medical team was unable to control the excessive bleeding.
Sadly, Miss Omotosho bled to death shortly after the procedure.

A police officer reportedly documented the scene before the body was transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, for further examination.

Police Investigation and Arrest of the Clinic Owner

Following the incident, the Kogi State Police Command immediately intervened. The owner of Al-Hassan Clinic and Maternity was arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Lokoja, for thorough investigation.

This aligns with the Nigerian government’s ongoing crackdown on unregulated medical practices, which often pose serious risks to lives.

For updates on cases like this, you can follow the Guardian Nigeria and Punch Newspapers, which regularly cover breaking news on health and security issues in Nigeria.

Kogi Polytechnic’s Response

When contacted, the management of Kogi State Polytechnic expressed that they were unaware of the tragic development.

According to Uredo Omale, the institution’s Director of Public Relations and Protocol:

“The school is not aware of the incident because the students are currently on holiday.”

Efforts to reach the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Williams Ovye, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting, as his line was unreachable.

Broader Concerns About Unsafe Abortions in Nigeria

This incident sheds light on the dangers of unsafe abortion practices, especially in unlicensed facilities. Nigeria continues to record high rates of maternal deaths linked to unsafe abortions, often due to:

Lack of access to safe reproductive healthcare.
Social stigma surrounding unplanned pregnancies.
The activities of unregulated private clinics.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe abortions are one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The death of Dorcas Omotosho is not just a personal tragedy but also a stark reminder of the urgent need for stronger healthcare regulations and improved reproductive health awareness in Nigeria.

As investigations continue, stakeholders in education, healthcare, and governance must work together to ensure such devastating incidents are prevented in the future.