There is rising concern in Adamawa State after a 40-year-old lecturer, Emmanuel Peter, disappeared from his hospital bed while receiving psychiatric treatment in Yola. Peter, a staff member of the Department of Public Administration at the Muhammadu Buhari University—formerly University of Maiduguri—is said to be mentally unstable and in urgent need of medical care.
The incident occurred at the Psychiatric Ward of the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), where he was admitted for treatment of psychotic disorder, seizure, and substance abuse addiction. Hospital staff discovered that the lecturer was missing after a routine check and immediately alerted his family and the authorities.
The Adamawa State Police Command has since launched a search for the missing lecturer, issuing a public notice with his details and appealing for help from residents across the state.
In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Suleiman Nguroje, the Command explained that Peter’s disappearance poses a serious risk to his health and safety, making it important for the public to assist in locating him quickly.
According to the statement, Peter is dark in complexion and speaks Hausa, Marghi, and English, which may help people identify him if seen in any community. Police urged anyone with useful information to report to the nearest police station or contact the numbers provided in the missing-person alert: 0706 290 1177 and 0806 580 3697.
“Members of the public with useful information that could assist in locating him are kindly urged to report at the nearest Police Station, Office of the PPRO or contact the listed numbers,” the notice stated.
The Police Command said investigators have already begun tracing Peter’s last known movement around the hospital premises. Officers have also visited nearby communities and major intersections in Yola, as well as motor parks, in case he attempted to leave the area.
Peter’s case highlights the broader challenge of mental health care in Nigeria, where psychiatric facilities often struggle with understaffing, limited infrastructure, and high patient numbers. Many mental health patients depend heavily on family supervision, and sudden disappearances from treatment centres occur periodically around the country, though they are not always reported publicly.
Medical experts say conditions such as psychotic disorders and seizure-related illnesses require strict monitoring. Patients must take prescribed medication regularly and remain within a controlled environment until their condition becomes stable. Any interruption in treatment can lead to confusion, wandering, hallucinations, or self-harm.
In several states, families of psychiatric patients have complained about inadequate security in some treatment centres, especially for patients who require close observation. However, the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital is one of the most functional hospitals in the North-East, and its psychiatric ward has handled many complex cases over the years.
Peter’s disappearance therefore came as a shock to both hospital staff and security agencies.
Sources within Muhammadu Buhari University, Yola (formerly University of Maiduguri satellite campus), confirmed that the lecturer had been battling mental health issues for some time. He was reportedly admitted to the hospital after showing severe symptoms that made it unsafe for him to continue daily academic work.
The university administration is said to be fully cooperating with investigators and has urged staff members to be on alert in case he wanders near any academic facility.
Relatives of the missing lecturer are said to be deeply worried and have been moving across different neighbourhoods in Yola in search of him. Family members fear that he may have difficulty finding his way home or could be stranded somewhere without help.
Psychiatric specialists warn that people in Peter’s condition may walk long distances without understanding where they are going. They may also avoid crowded places or appear confused when approached by strangers.
The family has asked residents in Yola, Jimeta, Girei, and neighbouring towns to notify authorities if they see anyone matching his description.
The police noted that the search for Peter requires community participation because a mentally unstable person can easily leave the immediate area unnoticed. Public transport operators, traders, farmers, and security guards in both rural and urban communities were urged to pay attention to unfamiliar movements.
Cases of missing psychiatric patients in Nigeria sometimes take days or weeks before resolution, especially when the individual travels far or is picked up by people who do not have access to proper communication channels.
Public involvement, therefore, increases the chances of locating him early, which is important for his treatment and overall safety.
Government agencies and health professionals continue to advocate for better awareness, improved facilities, and stronger laws to protect people living with mental health challenges.
As of the time of filing this report, the Adamawa State Police Command has not confirmed any major lead in the search, but officers say they remain hopeful. The Command encouraged residents to stay alert and assured the public that all efforts are being made to find the missing lecturer.
For now, the family, university staff, and health workers at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital are anxiously awaiting news of his safe return.
