Former Senator Ibrahim Musa Kontagora Dies After Hospital Delays Emergency Surgery Over Alleged $15,000 Unpaid Bill

Former Nigerian Senator Ibrahim Musa Kontagora has died following a medical emergency in Abuja, after Nizamiye Hospital reportedly refused to perform a life-saving surgery due to incomplete payment.

Kontagora, who represented Niger North Senatorial District from 2011 to 2015, was admitted to the hospital where doctors recommended urgent surgery. However, the hospital demanded full payment of a $30,000 bill upfront. The family managed to raise and deposit $15,000, but the hospital insisted on receiving the balance before proceeding with the operation.

“Officials said they would begin treatment once the full amount was paid,” a family member told Peoples Gazette. Despite frantic efforts to raise the remaining sum, the delay proved fatal.

The hospital confirmed its policy of requiring full payment before treatment but did not accept responsibility for the senator’s death.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago was among those who reportedly contributed towards the cost of the surgery. Tributes have also poured in from political figures, including Senator Aliyu Abdullahi.

Senator Kontagora is survived by his wife and children. His funeral was scheduled to take place at the National Mosque in Abuja on Thursday by 4:00 p.m., in accordance with Islamic rites.