…Salako condemns attack, urges striking health workers to resume duty
The Federal Government has condemned the reported stabbing of a medical laboratory scientist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged assailant.
The victim, Mr Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, was reportedly attacked while carrying out his duties at the federal health facility.
Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the incident as barbaric and unacceptable, insisting that no grievance or dissatisfaction with medical care could justify violence against health workers.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Salako called on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure the swift arrest of the suspect.
He also assured that the ministry would follow the case to ensure that the alleged attacker was brought to justice in accordance with the law.
The minister said the incident had underscored the urgent need to strengthen security in federal tertiary health institutions, recalling measures directed by the ministry on August 5, 2026, to protect health personnel.
The measures include improved security arrangements, the establishment of violence-prevention teams, incident-reporting mechanisms, collaboration with law enforcement agencies and improved procedures for handling complaints.
Salako stressed that the measures must go beyond directives and translate into effective protection for health workers across the country’s health facilities.
He also appealed to health workers who had embarked on industrial action at FMC Abeokuta to return to work in the interest of patients and the general public.
According to him, the workers should allow security agencies to carry out their duties and investigate the incident.
The minister further urged the hospital’s management to ensure that the injured staff member receives appropriate medical care and support, while strengthening security arrangements in line with the Federal Government’s directives.
Salako also extended the government’s condolences to the family of the patient whose death was referenced in connection with the incident, acknowledging the pain associated with losing a loved one.
He, however, urged patients and their relatives who had complaints about the quality of care received at health facilities to use established complaint-handling channels rather than resort to violence.
The minister maintained that grievances should be examined fairly and addressed on their merits, warning that attacks on health personnel could undermine healthcare delivery.
He said protecting health workers was essential to ensuring safe and uninterrupted medical services, stressing that hospitals must remain secure environments where personnel could perform their duties without fear and patients could seek treatment with confidence.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to the safety of healthcare professionals and called for cooperation among hospital management, health workers, patients and security agencies to prevent further violence in medical facilities.
