Five Years After Police Bullet Injury, Ibadan Graduate Seeks Fresh Spinal Surgery

Five years after he was struck by a bullet during a police operation in Ibadan, Oyo State, a 30-year-old graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nurdeen Azeez, is still battling the effects of the injury and seeking funds for another spinal surgery.

Azeez, an indigene of Ibadan, said his ordeal began on Aug. 16, 2021, when he was hit by a bullet while travelling on a commercial motorcycle from Iwo Road to his hostel in the Ijokodo area of the city.

He said heavy traffic around Idi-Ape forced the motorcycle rider to take an alternative route before gunshots suddenly rang out.

“As soon as the motorcycle moved, I suddenly heard gunshots. A bullet struck my spinal cord, and I immediately collapsed on the motorcycle,” he recalled.

According to him, a police officer later approached him and asked him to stand up, but he was unable to move because of the severity of the injury.

“A police officer came to where I had fallen and asked me to stand up, but I could not move. In the confusion, some passersby who heard the gunshots rushed to the scene, and the officers fled,” he said.

Azeez was initially taken to Molly Hospital before his family was referred to another medical facility, where he received emergency treatment.

Government Intervention

Azeez said the incident triggered protests by students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in 2021, prompting the Oyo State Government to intervene.

He said the government subsequently funded a spinal surgery and assigned medical personnel to monitor his treatment.

However, he said the support stopped after the operation, leaving him to cope with the long-term effects of the injury.

Nearly five years after the incident, Azeez said he continues to experience severe pain while also dealing with emotional and financial difficulties.

“Living with this spinal injury has been one of the greatest challenges of my life. I have spent years battling pain, emotional trauma and financial hardship,” he said.

Doctors Recommend Fresh Surgery

Azeez said he recently sought further medical evaluation at a specialist hospital in India, where doctors reportedly recommended another spinal surgery to improve his condition.

He said the cost of the procedure was, however, beyond the financial capacity of his family.

The graduate also said the prolonged emotional and financial burden of his condition had taken a toll on his family, adding that he lost his mother during the period he was struggling with the aftermath of the shooting.

“The burden of my condition has also affected my family deeply. Sadly, I lost my mother, and the emotional stress surrounding my condition contributed greatly to her health challenges,” he said.

As the fifth anniversary of the incident approaches, Azeez said he remained hopeful of receiving the specialised treatment needed to improve his condition and regain some measure of normalcy.

He appealed to individuals, organisations and relevant authorities to assist him in raising the funds required for the recommended surgery.

was struck by a bullet during a police operation in Ibadan, Oyo State, a 30-year-old graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nurdeen Azeez, is still battling the effects of the injury and seeking funds for another spinal surgery.

Azeez, an indigene of Ibadan, said his ordeal began on Aug. 16, 2021, when he was hit by a bullet while travelling on a commercial motorcycle from Iwo Road to his hostel in the Ijokodo area of the city.

He said heavy traffic around Idi-Ape forced the motorcycle rider to take an alternative route before gunshots suddenly rang out.

“As soon as the motorcycle moved, I suddenly heard gunshots. A bullet struck my spinal cord, and I immediately collapsed on the motorcycle,” he recalled.

According to him, a police officer later approached him and asked him to stand up, but he was unable to move because of the severity of the injury.

“A police officer came to where I had fallen and asked me to stand up, but I could not move. In the confusion, some passersby who heard the gunshots rushed to the scene, and the officers fled,” he said.

Azeez was initially taken to Molly Hospital before his family was referred to another medical facility, where he received emergency treatment.

Government Intervention

Azeez said the incident triggered protests by students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in 2021, prompting the Oyo State Government to intervene.

He said the government subsequently funded a spinal surgery and assigned medical personnel to monitor his treatment.

However, he said the support stopped after the operation, leaving him to cope with the long-term effects of the injury.

Nearly five years after the incident, Azeez said he continues to experience severe pain while also dealing with emotional and financial difficulties.

“Living with this spinal injury has been one of the greatest challenges of my life. I have spent years battling pain, emotional trauma and financial hardship,” he said.

Doctors Recommend Fresh Surgery

Azeez said he recently sought further medical evaluation at a specialist hospital in India, where doctors reportedly recommended another spinal surgery to improve his condition.

He said the cost of the procedure was, however, beyond the financial capacity of his family.

The graduate also said the prolonged emotional and financial burden of his condition had taken a toll on his family, adding that he lost his mother during the period he was struggling with the aftermath of the shooting.

“The burden of my condition has also affected my family deeply. Sadly, I lost my mother, and the emotional stress surrounding my condition contributed greatly to her health challenges,” he said.

As the fifth anniversary of the incident approaches, Azeez said he remained hopeful of receiving the specialised treatment needed to improve his condition and regain some measure of normalcy.

He appealed to individuals, organisations and relevant authorities to assist him in raising the funds required for the recommended surgery.