Medical student shot by kidnappers needs N20m for overseas medicare, begs Nigerians for help

A 33-year-old student of Medicine and Surgery, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Victor Ogungbemi, has begged Nigerians to come to his assistance and help him raise a sum of N20 million to seek medical attention abroad.

Ogungbemi was rendered incapacitated after being shot by kidnappers on August 5, 2017 while at the 300 level along Okenne- Abuja highway when he visited Obangede in company of his cousin, who was to partake in an examination conducted by the School of Nursing located in the town on that day.Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, the Oka Akoko, Akoko Southwest-born medical student, said the gunshots he received in the hand and leg had paralysed his fore limb and led to the amputation of his leg.

Ogungbemi, who walks with crutches, said though, the medical experts at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, where he was referred from Lokoja tried by amputating his leg, saying medical experts recently advised that the last lap of the orthopaedic surgery can only be completed in India.

He said the financial analysis, including the cost of operation and post medical care would gulp a sum of N20 million.

In an emotion-laden tone, Ogungbemi said he had not got the opportunity of returning to the classroom since the gory incident happened.

He bemoaned and cried that his dream of becoming a medical doctor may be shattered, except Ondo and Ekiti state governments and all men of goodwill come to his aid.

Ogungbemi particularly appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole and well-meaning Nigerians to help him to be able to overcome his predicament.

“Trouble started for me along Okene – Abuja Highway on our way back to Ondo State when a group of armed men numbering 15 sauntered into the road, totting their guns menacingly, firing shots and in the process stopped all vehicles including the Honda Pilot car which he drove.

“They were shooting sporadically, before I knew what was happening, they pounced on me and my cousin. They dragged me down. My cousin was also dragged down and asked to sit on the road. But I was not fortunate as they dragged me to the bush alongside others.

“I even offered the car keys to the one close to me, but he appeared uninterested as they marched us on and shooting sporadically all along. I believe they are kidnappers and not robbers. After about 10 minutes’ walk into the bush, one of the armed men just took a second look at me and opened fire on me.

“He fired shots at my left side, badly affecting my left leg and arm, while my right arm was slightly hit by the bullets in the process. I fell down with blood oozing out. Perhaps he thought I was dead, he left me there, drenched in a pool of my blood and they continued the journey with others.

“I can say I was in a subconscious state because I slightly had an idea of the environment despite my condition and losing so much blood. I was even already saying my last prayers because I never believed help could have come from anywhere.

“Some soldiers, who I believe were combing the bush for the armed criminals, found me in the helpless state and chose to rescue me first before continuing with their assignment of looking for the armed men”.

He said considering the pain and agony he went through, that he had begged one of the soldiers to shoot him in the head or chest so that he could be free from the pains instead of rescuing and putting him on another tortuous journey.

“When the policemen eventually brought my wife, they said we would have to pay N2million before the process of removing the bullets would begin. We were jolted. Where would my wife, a civil servant, get the money?”.

“They released me after the third day following pleas by my brother, who paid N400,000 to them and begged them that he would pay the balance on trust before I Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo in Ondo State, where the doctors battled in vain to save the leg”.

Ogungbemi said life has been tortuous for him in addition to mountain of debt he owed owing to inability to walk or work.

A letter dated 27th August, 2017 and written by the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr A. Olasinde and Dr. I.O. Fasoranti for the Medical Director , confirmed that Ogungbemi was a patient in the hospital where he underwent operation on his upper left limb and fore limb on 21st, August, 2017.

Good Samaritan can reach the victim on 07032564428.

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