The management of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital on Thursday released the corpse of one Alhaji Salihu, which was seized on Tuesday following an attack on a doctor by his relatives.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the corpse was released following a resolution of the controversy surrounding the seizure of the body.

The resolution was reportedly reached around 5pm after a prolonged meeting said to have been brokered by a senior lawyer in the state (names withheld).

The Head, Corporate Affairs Unit, UITH, Mrs Elizabeth Ajiboye, said investigations would, however, continue to forestall a recurrence of the incident.

Salihu, who was said to be a butcher, was alleged to be suffering from blood cancer before being rushed to the hospital on Tuesday.

His relatives alleged that negligence on the part of the health workers led to his death.

But the hospital management claimed that the case was presented late.

Ajiboye, in a statement, cautioned relatives of patients brought to the hospital for medical care against attacking medical workers.

The statement said, “An extant case was that of a male patient admitted into the accident and emergency wing of the UITH on December 27, 2022.

“The patient in question was one of such cases presented to the hospital late and with severe complications. Nevertheless, the health workers on duty, especially doctors, swung into action. But while battling with his life, he convulsed. He was stabilised from that stage, prompting the doctors to take over another case requiring emergency attention.

“Three of the patient’s relations pounced on one of the doctors on duty, pinned him to the wall and punched him severally, but he managed to escape from them.

“It has now become imperative for the hospital to caution patients and their relations against any form of attack on its health care providers.

“Just as these workers had sworn to protect the lives of their patients, their own lives should not be endangered.

“Therefore, the management, through the law enforcement agents, has resolved to henceforth commence the arrest and prosecution of anyone, irrespective of their status, threatening the lives of any of the workers of UITH in the course of their duties. Legal action will also henceforth be taken against such unruly relatives of our patients.”