Nigeria FG Seeks Arrest: Ogun FMC Attacker Must Face Justice

• The Federal Government has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of a suspect who allegedly stabbed a health worker at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
• Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, condemned the attack on medical laboratory scientist Mr. Lawal Olasunkanmi as "barbaric and unacceptable."
• The incident highlighted the urgent need for federal tertiary health institutions to implement August 5 directives on strengthened security, violence prevention, and incident reporting.
• Minister Salako appealed to health workers at FMC Abeokuta to end their industrial action and allow authorities to investigate, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted patient care.
• The government reiterated that protecting health workers is crucial for safe healthcare delivery and urged the use of formal complaint mechanisms instead of violence.

No level of grief, frustration, or dissatisfaction with medical care could ever justify resorting to violence against a healthcare professional who is performing their legitimate duties.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for the immediate apprehension and prosecution of an individual suspected of stabbing a health worker at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State. This directive came from Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, in a statement released on Monday night, October 12, 2026, through Ado Bako, Assistant Director for Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The incident involved Mr. Lawal Olasunkanmi, a medical laboratory scientist at the facility.

Minister Salako strongly condemned the reported assault on Mr. Olasunkanmi, characterizing the act as "barbaric and unacceptable." He emphasized that no level of grief, frustration, or dissatisfaction with medical care could ever justify resorting to violence against a healthcare professional who is performing their legitimate duties. The ministry has pledged to closely monitor the case to ensure that the alleged assailant is brought to justice under the full extent of the law.

The minister also issued an appeal to the hospital management at Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, urging them to ensure that Mr. Lawal Olasunkanmi receives comprehensive medical care and support following the attack. Furthermore, he directed the management to reinforce existing security protocols at the institution, aligning with the broader directives issued by the Federal Government to enhance safety within health facilities.

This recent incident at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta underscores the critical need for federal tertiary health institutions to rigorously implement measures aimed at safeguarding their staff. Minister Salako highlighted that the stabbing reinforced the urgency of directives previously issued by the Ministry of Health on August 5. These directives were specifically designed to bolster the protection of health workers across all federal tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.

The comprehensive measures outlined in the August 5 directives include the establishment of strengthened security arrangements, the formation of dedicated violence-prevention teams, and the implementation of robust incident reporting systems. Additionally, the directives call for enhanced collaboration with law-enforcement agencies and the improvement of existing complaint-handling procedures within healthcare facilities. The Minister stressed that these safeguards are not merely guidelines but must translate into tangible and effective protection for all health personnel.

The Federal Government's stance is clear: health facilities must operate as secure environments where medical professionals can perform their duties without the constant fear of violence. This commitment extends to ensuring that patients and their families can seek necessary care with confidence, knowing that the environment is safe for both providers and recipients of healthcare services.

In response to the attack, some health workers at FMC Abeokuta initiated an industrial action. Dr. Salako appealed directly to these workers, urging them to immediately return to their duties. This plea was made in consideration of the welfare of patients and the broader public interest, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted healthcare delivery. He also encouraged the striking workers to allow security authorities to proceed with their investigations into the incident.

The Minister also took the opportunity to extend the government’s condolences to the family of the deceased patient, acknowledging that the loss of a loved one warrants compassion and appropriate attention. He further advised that any individual dissatisfied with the care received at the hospital should utilize the formal complaints mechanism available. This approach, he noted, allows concerns to be fairly examined and addressed on their merits, thereby preventing the need for violent recourse.

Ultimately, the protection of health workers is paramount for ensuring the continuous and safe provision of healthcare services. This incident serves as a stark reminder that maintaining secure environments in medical facilities is fundamental, not only for the safety of staff but also for fostering public trust and ensuring that essential medical care remains accessible without disruption.

Federal tertiary health institutions in Nigeria must urgently review and implement the Ministry of Health's directives on strengthened security, violence prevention, and incident reporting to mitigate legal risks and ensure compliance with government expectations regarding health worker protection. Lawyers should advise these institutions on updating their protocols and potential liabilities arising from workplace violence.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH newspaper