The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has condemned the alleged assault on a Chief Nursing Officer at the State Hospital, Adeoyo, Ibadan, describing the incident as a grave human rights violation and an attack on the dignity and safety of healthcare workers.
The group called on the Oyo State Police Command to immediately arrest and prosecute the alleged perpetrator, while urging the state government to strengthen security in public hospitals and address the shortage of medical personnel.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, ENF described the attack as “shameful, barbaric and inhumane,” following the circulation of a video allegedly showing the nurse being assaulted, humiliated and recorded by a patient’s relative.
According to the forum, the incident reflects a growing pattern of violence against frontline healthcare workers, who continue to operate under difficult conditions caused by inadequate staffing and poor funding of the health sector.
“The disturbing video of the incident, showing the victim being assaulted, humiliated and dehumanised while the perpetrator recorded the attack, has generated widespread outrage among Nurses and other well-meaning Nigerians. Such acts of violence against frontline health workers must never be tolerated in any civilised society,” the statement read.
ENF said available information indicated that the nurses on duty had completed their professional assessments and attended to patients within the limits of their responsibilities, while those awaiting treatment were waiting for a doctor on call.
The forum attributed the delay to a severe shortage of doctors and nurses, noting that some doctors were reportedly attending to duties at the University College Hospital (UCH), while the nursing unit was also operating with inadequate manpower.
“Despite these realities, a patient’s relative chose to vent his anger on an innocent Nurse who neither created the shortage of doctors nor has the authority to produce one. We ask: What exactly was the Nurse expected to do? Was she supposed to produce a doctor magically?” ENF queried.
The organisation argued that the assault amounted to a violation of the nurse’s fundamental rights to dignity, safety and freedom from violence while performing lawful duties.
It further maintained that health workers should not become scapegoats for systemic failures in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“This assault was not only unjustifiable but also a direct attack on the dignity of the Nursing profession. It is unacceptable that a health worker who reported to work to save lives became the victim of violence simply because of the failure of government to fund and staff the healthcare system adequately,” the statement added.
The forum said nurses remain the backbone of Nigeria’s healthcare system despite working under difficult conditions, including inadequate manpower, poor infrastructure, excessive workloads, poor remuneration, delayed promotions, denial of legitimate allowances and psychological stress.
It warned that attacks on health workers discourage professionals from remaining in public service and further weaken an already overstretched healthcare system.
While acknowledging the frustration of patients and their relatives over delays in accessing medical care, ENF insisted that violence against healthcare workers could never be justified.
“The real problem lies in the persistent neglect of the health sector by successive governments through inadequate recruitment of Nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, poor funding of public hospitals and failure to improve working conditions,” the forum stated.
It urged members of the public to direct their grievances toward government authorities responsible for healthcare policy and workforce planning rather than attacking frontline medical personnel.
Among its demands, ENF called on the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident, apprehend the alleged assailant and prosecute the case without delay.
The forum also urged the Oyo State Government and the Ministry of Health to recruit more nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers to reduce pressure on existing staff and improve service delivery.
It further called on hospital management to improve security within healthcare facilities to protect workers from physical assault, intimidation and harassment.
The organisation appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), healthcare unions and civil society organisations to support the assaulted nurse and advocate stronger legal protections for health workers.
ENF also urged federal and state governments to implement and enforce laws that criminalise violence against healthcare workers.
“Violence against one Nurse is violence against the entire healthcare workforce. Every assault on a health worker weakens the healthcare system and discourages committed professionals who have dedicated their lives to saving others,” the statement said.
Reaffirming its support for the assaulted Chief Nursing Officer, the forum vowed to continue speaking out against intimidation, assault and other forms of abuse targeting nurses across the country.
“Nigeria cannot build a functional healthcare system while those entrusted with saving lives are treated with violence, humiliation and disrespect. Enough is enough.
“Justice must prevail. Violence against Nurses must end. Healthcare workers deserve protection, dignity and respect,” the statement concluded.
