A 26-year-old final-year student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has died following a failed attempt to terminate a six-month pregnancy at a private clinic in the state capital.
The victim, identified as Omotosho Dorcas, reportedly visited Al-Hassan Clinic and Maternity, Sarkin Noma, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, for the procedure. She was said to have developed heavy bleeding during the operation and could not be revived despite efforts by medical staff.
Dorcas, who was preparing for her final examinations, had allegedly concealed the pregnancy until the botched attempt to end it.
Her death has left classmates in shock and has reignited debate over unsafe abortion practices in Nigeria.
Police confirmed the arrest of the medical practitioner suspected to have carried out the operation, adding that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further interrogation and possible prosecution.
Health experts say the tragedy underscores the dangers of unsafe abortions in the country, where restrictive laws often push women to seek help from unregulated facilities.
“This is a sad reminder that unsafe abortions continue to claim young lives.
There is an urgent need for stronger reproductive health education and safer medical alternatives to prevent avoidable deaths,” a public health advocate told reporters.
The case draws parallels with the 2020 death of Gift Imoluamen, a student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who also died after a similar incident.
As investigations continue, Dorcas’ family and colleagues are mourning her loss, while calls grow louder for reforms in reproductive healthcare and tighter regulation of private clinics nationwide.
