The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has condemned what it described as a growing pattern of intimidation and harassment of nurses and other healthcare professionals who speak out about alleged workplace abuse, calling on authorities to protect workers’ rights and prevent the misuse of law enforcement in employment disputes.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the forum expressed concern over reports that healthcare workers who shared their experiences about a private healthcare facility on a professional online platform were later invited by the police following complaints of alleged cyberstalking and cyberbullying.
According to the ENF, the incidents stemmed from discussions on Medical Locum Jobs, a Telegram community widely used by healthcare professionals to exchange employment opportunities and share workplace experiences.
The forum said the platform serves as an informal peer-review space where doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists and other healthcare workers discuss employers, enabling prospective employees to make informed career decisions.
ENF alleged that following a recent recruitment advertisement by Abby’s Paediatric Care, members questioned why the hospital appeared to recruit nurses frequently. The discussion reportedly prompted responses from a doctor and former nurses who claimed they had experienced humiliation, unfair treatment and dismissal after raising concerns about their working conditions.
The organisation said some of those individuals were subsequently invited by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, over allegations of cyberstalking and cyberbullying.
“The accuracy of this report raises serious concerns about the growing use of law enforcement processes in disputes involving workplace criticism and employee welfare,” the statement said.
It argued that healthcare professionals should not face intimidation for sharing personal workplace experiences in a forum established to promote transparency and help colleagues avoid allegedly exploitative employers.
The forum further expressed concern that police resources were allegedly being deployed in workplace disputes at a time Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, including terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime.
It recalled previous instances in which nurses who demanded payment of outstanding salaries were allegedly threatened with police action by their employers, describing the trend as one that leaves workers vulnerable while enabling influential employers to weaponise state institutions.
“We dedicate our lives to saving lives, caring for the sick and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. We deserve dignity, respect and protection, not intimidation,” the statement read.
ENF maintained that no nurse should lose employment for reporting poor working conditions, be threatened for demanding payment of earned salaries or be treated as a criminal for sharing personal workplace experiences.
The forum stressed that freedom of expression and the right of workers to report workplace concerns without fear of retaliation are protected rights, warning that suppressing such complaints weakens accountability and contributes to the migration of healthcare professionals from Nigeria.
The organisation called for an immediate and impartial review of the reported police invitations issued to the affected healthcare workers to ensure that criminal processes are not used to suppress lawful workplace complaints.
It also urged relevant authorities to investigate allegations made by former employees against Abby’s Paediatric Care in accordance with due process.
ENF appealed to human rights organisations, labour unions, civil society groups and professional associations to intervene in the matter and called on the Nigeria Police Force to remain neutral in civil employment disputes.
The forum further urged the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and relevant regulatory agencies to strengthen protections for whistleblowers and workers who report alleged workplace abuse, unpaid salaries, intimidation and unfair labour practices.
It also called on employers to uphold fair labour practices by ensuring prompt salary payments, safe working environments and respect for the rights of healthcare workers.
The group criticised what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to adequately protect nurses and other healthcare workers from the alleged misuse of state institutions to suppress legitimate grievances.
ENF warned that if the alleged pattern of intimidation persists, it would submit formal petitions to the World Health Assembly, the World Health Organisation (WHO), international human rights organisations and global nursing bodies to draw attention to the treatment of healthcare workers in Nigeria.
“Silence should never be mistaken for weakness. Nurses have sacrificed enough. We have remained patient long enough. Enough is enough,” the statement concluded.
