Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Gunshot victim seeks N20m for surgery, 12 years on

By Adaku Onyenucheya
16 February 2019   |   3:00 am
The joy of every man is to hear that good news of becoming a first-time father, but that was not the case for 42-year-old Bukola Agbelese , who witnessed a life-changing incident that has kept him bedridden for over 12 years. On that fateful day, his wife delivered a baby girl and he had barely…

Bukola and his mother, Mrs. Bolanle Agbelese in a small room given to them at the main auditorium of the Celestial Church of God, Ketu, Lagos.<br />PHOTO: ADAKU ONYENUCHEYA<br />

The joy of every man is to hear that good news of becoming a first-time father, but that was not the case for 42-year-old Bukola Agbelese , who witnessed a life-changing incident that has kept him bedridden for over 12 years.

On that fateful day, his wife delivered a baby girl and he had barely received the news of the delivery when he got shot on the neck by suspected armed robbers, who were on a mission to track a rich fellow at Ilupeju area of Lagos State. He was shot at his right-supraclavicular.

The incident, which happened in November 2006, changed not only Bukola’s fate, but also the family he intended to build.

Narrating his ordeal to The Guardian, Bukola, who was the head of an aluminum fabrication factory in Ilupeju, said: “It happened when I was coming back from work around 8:00pm. While I was trying to get something to eat within the vicinity, I noticed someone standing near me. I did not know he was an armed robber. Suddenly, I saw people running helter-skelter.. As I turned to my right, the guy just shot me on my neck..

My brother reported the case at Ilupeju Police Station.”

Bukola’s mother, Mrs. Bolanle Agbelese, 67, recalled: “When the incident happened, he was taken to three private hospitals that rejected him before he was admitted at Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital.”

The helpless mother said she had spent over N2 million on Bukola’s treatment.

Meanwhile, the Project Consultant of Parkview Estate Lions Club in Lagos, Lion Bimbo Oluwadare has appealed to good Nigerians, corporate organisations and NGOs to come to Bukola’s aid so he can stand on his feet and walk again to support his aged mother and daughter.

Although, specialists at LASUTH said Bukola would require a minimum of N15 million for surgery, preferably abroad, it was gathered that he would need to travel to Max Super Specialist Hospital, New Delhi, India if he gets money for the treatment.

According to a letter signed by a Senior Consultant in the hospital, Dr. S.C Sood of the Department of Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeries, after reviewing the photographs and the report of the patient, he is having bed sores.

“Though not much visible, we can do a surgery to remove bed sores as per the photographs. Details can be worked out when we get to examine him.

“The approximate cost for surgery will be 3,800 US Dollars (N20 million) for single sitting with two days stay in the hospital.

“Patient needs to stay in India for four to six weeks. Patient might require regular dressings during the course of stay in India, which cost will be charged on actuals,” the specialist said in the letter.

Donations can be made to Access Bank, Agbelese Bukola Folorunsho, account number: 0031106003 or Wema Bank, Parkview Estate Lions Club, Ikoyi, account number: 0225449181.

0 Comments