Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has set a target of securing Joint Commission International certification for Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, alongside Amachara Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, and Umunnato Specialist Hospital, Bende.

The three facilities are currently undergoing reconstruction and upgrade into modern referral centres across the state’s senatorial zones.

Otti stated this on Monday while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of JNCI, Mrs Clare Omatseye, and her team, who briefed him on the progress of the ongoing redesign, reconstruction and equipping of the hospitals.

JCI certification is widely regarded as a global benchmark for healthcare quality, patient safety and operational standards, and is currently held by only two hospitals in Nigeria.

The governor expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far, noting that his administration is also restructuring the management of ABSUTH to improve efficiency.

“I am happy that we have made a lot of progress. While we are doing these, we are also rejigging the management and leadership of ABSUTH, Aba. Everything is going on simultaneously,” Otti stated.

He added that his government would provide all necessary approvals to fast-track the projects, stressing the need to avoid delays.

“All the documents that are required to be signed, please let’s have them, and we will sign and return them within the week. We will also put more pressure on the contractor, even if he has to work 24 hours, because I do not like the sound of delay,” he added.

Otti explained that the decision to centralise advanced radiography services at ABSUTH was aimed at ensuring efficiency and maximising impact.

He noted that the Amachara and Umunnato hospitals are being developed as tertiary facilities to complement ABSUTH in delivering specialised healthcare services.

Earlier, Omatseye commended the state government for reforms in the health sector, noting improvements across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare levels.

She disclosed that a $1m MRI machine donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be installed at ABSUTH, adding that the state is making steady progress towards meeting international healthcare standards.

Officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State have rescued 17 pupils abducted from an Islamic school in Lokoja, as security agencies intensify efforts to free the remaining victims.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the pupils were kidnapped on Saturday at about 11:45pm when gunmen invaded Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage located in Zariagi along NNPC Road, Kabba Junction.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, said in a statement that 26 persons—comprising 24 pupils and two wives of the proprietor—were initially abducted.

Afusat explained that following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of ‘B’ Division, Lokoja, mobilised a joint security team, leading to the rescue of 17 victims.

“Rescue operations are ongoing by joint security operatives, comprising the police, military, and other security agencies, to secure the safe release of the remaining nine victims,” she said.

The state Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, has since visited the scene and ordered the deployment of tactical teams for bush combing, intelligence gathering, and surveillance.

The command assured residents that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators, urging the public to provide credible information.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate and avoidable.

The state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said security operatives responded swiftly, leading to the rescue of several victims, while efforts continue to secure the release of others.

He, however, raised concerns that the school was allegedly operating in a remote area without proper registration or notification to relevant authorities.

Fanwo warned that unregistered schools and orphanages in isolated locations pose serious security risks, especially in the current security climate, and urged operators to comply with regulations.

Kidnapping for ransom remains a major security challenge in parts of Nigeria, with schools, religious institutions, and rural communities increasingly targeted due to their vulnerability.