By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged assailant involved in the stabbing of a medical laboratory scientist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, warning that violence against health workers will not be tolerated.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the incident involving Mr. Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi as barbaric and unacceptable, stressing that dissatisfaction with medical care or the loss of a loved one cannot justify violence against healthcare personnel.
According to a statement issued on Monday, by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare called on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure the swift arrest of the suspect and pursue the case in accordance with the law.
Salako said the ministry would closely follow the investigation to ensure that the alleged assailant is brought to justice.
He noted that the incident had reinforced the urgency of implementing measures directed by the ministry on August 5, 2026, to strengthen the protection of health workers in federal tertiary health institutions.
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 from patients and their relatives.
The minister stressed that the measures must translate into effective protection for health personnel across healthcare facilities, adding that hospitals must remain safe environments for both workers and patients.
He also 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 general public.
According to him, healthcare workers should allow security agencies to carry out their duties and conclude the investigation into the incident.
Salako 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.
The minister also extended the Federal Government’s condolences to the family of the deceased patient, acknowledging the pain associated with losing a loved one and emphasising the need for compassion and appropriate attention to their concerns.
He urged patients and their relatives who are dissatisfied with the care received at healthcare facilities to use established complaints mechanisms rather than resort to violence.
The ministry reiterated that protecting healthcare workers is essential to ensuring safe, effective and uninterrupted healthcare delivery, stressing that medical personnel must be able to perform their duties without fear of attacks.
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