Arrest of the suspect in the stabbing of an FMC Abeokuta medical laboratory scientist is being demanded by the Federal Government as it urges striking health workers to resume duties.
The Federal Government has called on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately arrest and prosecute the suspect in the stabbing of a medical laboratory scientist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the call in a statement issued on Monday night by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Salako condemned the reported attack on Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable”.
“No grief, frustration or dissatisfaction with care can justify violence against a health worker performing his lawful duties,” the minister said.
He called on the police to ensure the swift arrest of the alleged assailant, adding that the ministry would follow the case to ensure that the suspect was brought to justice.
The minister said the incident highlighted the urgent need to implement measures introduced by the ministry on August 5, 2026, to strengthen the protection of health workers in federal tertiary healthcare institutions.
According to him, the measures include improved security arrangements, the establishment of violence-prevention teams, incident-reporting mechanisms, collaboration with law-enforcement agencies and stronger procedures for handling complaints from patients and their relatives.
Salako stressed that the measures must provide effective protection for healthcare personnel across medical facilities.
The incident comes amid concerns over the safety of health workers in Nigerian hospitals. In a statement issued on August 5, the Federal Government directed federal tertiary health institutions to strengthen security, document incidents of assault and harassment, and improve cooperation with law-enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, Salako appealed to health workers who had embarked on industrial action at FMC Abeokuta to return to work immediately in the interest of patients and the wider public.
The workers began a 72-hour warning strike on Monday, October 12, following the alleged stabbing of their colleague by a patient’s relative. The industrial action was scheduled to end at 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 15.
The minister urged the striking workers to allow security authorities to investigate the incident while assuring them that the government was committed to improving their safety.
He also called on the hospital management to ensure that Olasunkanmi received appropriate medical care and support, while strengthening security arrangements in line with the Federal Government’s directives.
Salako extended the government’s condolences to the family of the deceased patient, acknowledging the pain associated with the loss of a loved one.
He urged patients and their relatives who were dissatisfied with services at the hospital to use established complaint-handling channels rather than resort to violence.
According to the minister, complaints should be examined fairly and addressed on their merits through appropriate procedures.
He reiterated that protecting health workers was essential to safe and uninterrupted healthcare delivery, stressing that medical facilities must remain secure environments where personnel could perform their duties without fear of violence and patients could seek treatment with confidence.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
