Tensions have erupted in Burutu as angry residents take an unusual step to draw attention to a worsening healthcare crisis.
The local council chairman’s boat was thrown onto the property by angry youth in Delta State’s Burutu area on the third day of the protests against inadequate medical treatment.
The anger boiled over after a pregnant woman and her unborn baby died on Monday because they couldn’t get quick medical care at the government hospital in Burutu.
In videos shared online, women and young people pulled the boat belonging to Chairman Julius Takeme ashore while chanting.
“We need doctors!” They accused the state and local governments of completely abandoning the hospital, demanding real doctors, nurses, proper medicine, and modern equipment.
Protesters also complained about constant power outages, saying the lack of electricity makes it even harder for the hospital to treat sick people.
One woman in a video broke down as she talked about how children and pregnant mothers are dying simply because no medical staff are around to save them.
Many people online called the situation heartbreaking and unacceptable.
Protesters warned that more people will die if the government doesn’t step in immediately to fix the facility.
Calls to the council chairman went straight to a turned-off phone.
However, a later clip online appeared to show him talking to the crowd after they seized his boat, though it isn’t clear yet what promises were mad