A Nigerian nurses’ advocacy group has filed a formal petition with the Inspector General of Police, calling for an urgent investigation into alleged quackery, patient endangerment, extortion, and threats against whistleblowers at a public health facility in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The petition, signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, National Coordinator of the Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF), targets the Primary Health Care Centre (PHC) at Oke-Adu, Ibadan, and names the facility’s Officer-in-Charge, identified only as Mrs Ojo, as central to the alleged misconduct.
“We write this petition with deep concern over disturbing activities allegedly taking place at the Primary Health Care Centre, Oke-Adu,” the petition states, adding that the complaints span “repeated allegations of quackery, unsafe medical practices, extortion, intimidation, threats to life, and endangerment of patients.”
Among the most serious claims is that unqualified ad hoc health attendants were allegedly permitted to perform sensitive clinical procedures, including childbirth deliveries, without professional training or certification.
The petition describes one particularly alarming incident involving a breech delivery allegedly initiated by an untrained health attendant. “The baby reportedly sustained severe injury to the genital area with persistent bleeding for about 48 hours, leading to fears of possible fistula or permanent damage,” the document states.
According to the petitioners, referral of the injured newborn to the University College Hospital (UCH) was allegedly avoided. “It was further alleged that referral was deliberately avoided because of fear that the involvement of unqualified personnel would be exposed,” the petition reads.
The group also alleges systematic extortion of patients, claiming that delivery services approved by the government at ₦7,000 were being charged at ₦30,000, more than four times the official rate.
Perhaps the most alarming section of the petition concerns alleged threats made against nurses who raised concerns internally. The document claims that statements threatening “kidnapping, assassination, career destruction, seizure of certificates, and disappearance of individuals” were directed at young nurses and whistleblowers.
“These threats have created fear and tension among healthcare workers, especially young nurses working within PHCs across Oyo State,” the petition warns.
The ENF says it has chosen not to release supporting evidence, including alleged recorded statements, publicly at this time. “We have chosen not to release such materials publicly at this stage to allow proper investigation by relevant authorities and to avoid compromising ongoing efforts toward justice and accountability,” it explained.
The Forum is demanding that the Nigeria Police Force investigate allegations of threats and harassment against nurses, the use of unqualified personnel in clinical settings, illegal patient charges, negligence during medical procedures, concealment of medical incidents, and unsafe practices that could expose patients to infectious diseases.
The group is also calling for immediate protection of whistleblowers, an independent investigation of the Officer-in-Charge, prosecution of those found culpable, and collaboration with health regulatory bodies.
“This petition is made in the public interest and in defence of innocent citizens whose lives may continue to be endangered if urgent action is not taken,” the document concludes. “We trust that the Nigeria Police Force under your leadership will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.”
The Oyo State Ministry of Health and the management of PHC Oke-Adu had not issued any public response at the time of this report. Mrs Ojo could not be reached for comment.
