Health workers, including nurses, medical laboratory scientists and non-academic staff, among others, began a three-day warning strike on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, after a medical laboratory scientist at the hospital, Mr Lawal Olasunkanmi, was reportedly stabbed on Sunday night by a patient’s relative.
The notice for the warning strike was contained in a protest letter to the Medical Director of the hospital, dated October 12 and written by the Joint Action Committee comprising five unions: the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospital, Research and Associated Institutions, Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, and Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions.
The unions stated, “On behalf of the leadership and entire members of our union, we write to express our profound displeasure, outrage, and deep concern over the unfortunate and unacceptable incident in which one of our colleagues (Mr Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi), a Medical Laboratory Scientist, was stabbed by a patient’s relative last night within our Centre.
“This barbaric act of violence against a healthcare worker carrying out their professional responsibilities is condemnable and must not be treated with levity. We consider this incident a serious assault on the dignity, safety, and welfare of healthcare professionals who dedicate their time, knowledge, and energy to providing essential medical services to patients and the public.”
The workers said it was deeply disturbing that a facility established to preserve life and promote healing had become a place where healthcare workers could be subjected to physical attacks while discharging their lawful duties.
They added, “No healthcare worker deserves to be threatened, assaulted, or stabbed in the course of providing care. Disagreement, frustration, or dissatisfaction with any service rendered in the hospital cannot justify violence under any circumstance.
“We wish to state unequivocally that this incident is not merely an attack on the affected Medical Laboratory Scientist; it is an attack on the entire workforce of this Centre. An injury to one member of our professional community is a matter of collective concern, and we cannot remain silent while the safety of our members is placed in jeopardy.”
The unions therefore called on the management of the hospital to ensure that the incident was formally reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities and that the alleged assailant was investigated and brought to justice in accordance with the law.
They warned that no attempt should be made to conceal, trivialise or settle the serious act of violence in a manner that undermined accountability.
The workers also demanded that the affected medical laboratory scientist receive prompt and comprehensive medical attention, psychological support where necessary, and all appropriate institutional assistance throughout his recovery.
The unions also urged the management of the hospital to urgently review and reinforce security arrangements across the centre, particularly in clinical and laboratory areas, emergency units and other vulnerable locations.
The workers, among other demands, called for an urgent meeting between the management and union leadership to address the incident, review existing security gaps and agree on concrete measures with clear timelines to guarantee the safety of all staff.
The striking staff also called for the establishment and enforcement of a firm policy against threats, intimidation, harassment and physical assault against staff, with clear procedures for reporting incidents and appropriate collaboration with security and law enforcement agencies.
The unions added, “In solidarity with our injured colleague and in protest against this unacceptable act of violence, the union hereby give notice of commencement of 72 hours’ warning strike, effective from today 12th October, 2026 11:00 am and return to work by Thursday 15th October, by 8:00 am.
“This action is intended to register our collective displeasure, demand accountability, and compel urgent and meaningful action to address the security concerns confronting our members. It is also a firm statement that the workforce will not accept a situation in which healthcare professionals are exposed to preventable acts of violence without adequate protection and institutional response.”
Speaking to our correspondent on Monday, the spokesperson for the hospital, Mrs Gbemisola Olatunji, said the management had already met with the unions to resolve the crisis.
Olatunji said the unions presented their demands, while the staff member who was attacked had been taken to the Kemta Police Station, where he made an official statement about the attack.
She said, “The management held a meeting with all the joint unions this afternoon, and the management pleaded, on behalf of the general public, to suspend their decision. The unions also presented their demands.
“The management had already reported it to Kemta Police Station, and the staff involved has gone to give his statement this afternoon. The MD actually took him to the station; he has given his statement, and part of what the unions wanted is that the person should be arrested and prosecuted, and the police are already on top of that.
“We also agreed that there will be more security around the environment to make people know that when you come to the hospital, you are not to attack people who are going to treat you.
“If you have complaints, you have so many outlets that you can use to make known your complaint instead of attacking members of staff that are treating you. So far, we are hoping that by tomorrow, the unions will be back to their duty posts.”