Ibadan, Oyo State — The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has condemned what it described as a “barbaric and inhumane” assault on a Chief Nursing Officer at the State Hospital, Adeoyo, Ibadan, blaming the incident on systemic failures in Nigeria’s healthcare sector and demanding immediate justice.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the group decried a viral video showing the nurse being physically attacked, humiliated and filmed by a patient’s relative, an incident that has triggered widespread outrage among health workers and the public.
According to the ENF, the nurse and her colleagues had already attended to patients within their professional capacity, but were awaiting the arrival of a doctor for further consultation when the attack occurred. The forum noted that the absence of a doctor at the time was due to acute manpower shortages, a recurring challenge in public health facilities.
“The nurse neither created the shortage of doctors nor has the authority to produce one,” the statement read, questioning the rationale behind the assault.
The forum described the attack as not only unjustifiable but also a direct affront to the dignity of the nursing profession, stressing that nurses continue to operate under harsh conditions marked by staff shortages, poor infrastructure, heavy workloads and inadequate welfare.
While acknowledging the frustration often experienced by patients and their families due to delays in care, the ENF insisted that violence against healthcare workers is unacceptable and misdirected.
“The real problem lies in the persistent neglect of the health sector, poor funding and inadequate recruitment of healthcare professionals,” the group said, urging citizens to channel grievances toward relevant authorities rather than frontline workers.
The ENF called on the Oyo State Police Command to launch an immediate investigation, apprehend the suspect and ensure prosecution. It also urged the Oyo State Government and Ministry of Health to urgently address staffing gaps across public hospitals.
The group further demanded improved security in health facilities and called on professional bodies, labour unions and civil society organisations to rally in defence of healthcare workers. It warned that failure to act decisively could embolden further attacks on medical personnel.
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“Violence against one nurse is violence against the entire healthcare workforce,” the statement added.
The ENF reiterated its solidarity with the assaulted officer, insisting that protecting healthcare workers is essential to building a functional and resilient health system in Nigeria.
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