The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, on Friday, commended the management of Ibadan Central Hospital Ososami in Ibadan for deploying its state-of-the-art medical facilities to treat the Union’s Treasurer, Akeem Abas of the News Agency of Nigeria, who was attacked by suspected armed robbers last Sunday.
Akeem Abas attended the Sunday NUJ State Executive Council meeting at the press Centre in Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan. They were leaving around 9pm when the suspects on Okada rammed into him, which resulted in severe injury as his handset and other belongings were lost in the process.
He was writhing in pain after the attack as the fleeing suspects left him groaning on the road leading to the popular two filling stations adjacent to Mile 110.
He was lying face down for several minutes, barely walking again. One of his legs was severely affected with scars on his face, hands and legs.
Recalling the incident, Akeem Abas said, ‘I was on my way home, walking down the sleepy road leading to the filling stations on Mile 110 when the guys rammed into me intending to dispossess me of my belongings.
‘That route has become a criminal’s ‘den’ as they rob passersby almost on daily basis. They were three guys on the Okada who attacked me. They pushed me to the ground and carted away my belongings.
“I sustained serious injuries with my left leg badly affected. I was later moved to the hospital by my colleagues who came to rescue me from where I was lying face down as I could barely walk,” he said.
The NUJ Chairman, Ademola Babalola, thanked God for saving the life of one of the Union’s most resourceful and cerebral journalists, just as he applauded the management of the Ibadan Central Hospital for working several hours and battled hard to save the life of the journalist.
‘I want all public members to join us; the NUJ in thanking Dr Abib Olamitoye, the chairman of Ibadan Central Hospital and the management team who deployed every facility to get Akeem Abas treated free of charge.
‘Dr Abib Olamitoye directed the doctors to move our colleague to a private suit in the hospital where he was treated and given the best of medical care without collecting a dime from NUJ or his family.
‘I am also using this medium to call on security agencies to step up their efforts at ridding our society of such heinous crimes, which might have caused several deaths.
In a telephone conversation, Akeem Abas, who was discharged yesterday, also appreciated Dr Abib Olamitoye and the management of Ibadan Central Hopital for the best medical care they deployed to treat me.
‘I also thank the NUJ, NAN Ibadan family, colleagues, friends and other well-wishers for their call, messages and prayers, Abas added.
