Assault: Patient’s relative allegedly stabs hospital staff in Ogun

A patient’s relative was reported to have allegedly stabbed a hospital staff member at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, forcing health workers to embark on a 72-hour warning strike.

The victim, a medical laboratory scientist, Mr Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, was said to have been stabbed on Sunday.

The strike, declared by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the hospital, is set to commence at 11 a.m. on Monday and is expected to end at 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 15.

The JAC comprises members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRAI), the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

A colleague of the victim, Comrade Oladejo Abiodun, said he received a distress call at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday that a scientist on duty had been stabbed in the head and was bleeding.

He said he rushed to the hospital and confirmed the injury, adding that photos and videos of the incident exist.

The committee described the attack as “barbaric” and a direct assault on the dignity and safety of health workers.

Although the circumstances leading to the alleged attack were not immediately clear, the Joint Action Committee maintained that the incident required an urgent institutional response and formal action by law enforcement authorities.

They noted that the attack was not merely an individual grievance but a matter affecting the entire workforce, and demanded a clearly defined policy against violence, threats, intimidation, harassment and physical assault against hospital staff.

“This barbaric act of violence against a healthcare worker carrying out their professional duties is a serious assault on the dignity, safety, and welfare of healthcare professionals.

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“It is deeply disturbing that a facility established to preserve life and promote healing has become a place whore healthcare workers may be subjected to physical attacks while discharging their lawful duties. 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,” the committee stated.

The unions demanded a clear anti-violence policy, a formal reporting procedure for assaults on staff, collaboration with security agencies, and an urgent meeting with management to address security gaps.

They warned that violence against health workers must not be allowed to become normalised in the institution.