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The Federal Government has condemned the violent attack on a health worker at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, in Ogun state, describing the assault as barbaric, unacceptable, and completely unjustifiable under any circumstances.
The condemnation followed the reported stabbing of Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, a Medical Laboratory Scientist attached to the federal tertiary health facility, who was assaulted while discharging his lawful duties.
In a press statement made available to Blueprint.ng By Ado Bako, the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, expressed deep outrage over the physical assault on the health professional.
Dr. Salako emphasised that no amount of grief, frustration, or dissatisfaction with medical care could ever justify resort to violence or physical harm against healthcare personnel who are dedicated to saving lives.
The minister therefore, demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged assailant by security agencies in full accordance with the laws of the land.
He however, assured the public and the medical community that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would actively monitor and follow the case through to its logical conclusion to ensure justice is served.
Dr. Salako noted that the violent encounter further reinforces the critical urgency of fully implementing security directives issued by the Ministry on August 5, 2026, aimed at protecting health professionals in federal tertiary hospitals across the nation.
”These security safeguards include the deployment of strengthened security personnel, the establishment of violence-prevention teams, enhanced incident reporting systems, closer collaboration with law enforcement agencies, and improved complaint-handling procedures.
”These policy measures must not remain on paper, but must translate immediately into concrete, effective protection for health personnel in every facility across the country”, he said.
In the wake of the incident, health workers at FMC Abeokuta embarked on an industrial action in protest against the attack and the safety risks faced by staff members.
Addressing the industrial dispute, Dr. Salako appealed directly to the striking healthcare workers to suspend their action and return to work immediately in the interest of patients and the general public.
He urged the aggrieved health workers to allow the appropriate security authorities to carry out a thorough investigation and pursue the legal process to secure justice for their injured colleague.
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