The Federal Government has condemned the reported stabbing of medical scientist Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the suspect.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the demand in a statement signed by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
Salako described the incident as barbaric and unacceptable, insisting that disagreements over medical services cannot justify violence against healthcare professionals.
He stressed that medical personnel must be able to perform their duties without intimidation, threats or physical attacks.
The minister urged patients and their relatives to channel complaints about medical treatment through established administrative and legal procedures rather than resorting to violence.
He called on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure the swift arrest and prosecution of the suspect, assuring that the Federal Government would monitor the case to ensure justice.
Salako also emphasised that hospitals must remain safe environments where healthcare workers can provide essential medical services without fear for their lives.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of healthcare professionals, particularly in public hospitals where disputes between patients, relatives and medical personnel can escalate.
The minister recalled measures introduced by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on August 5, 2026, to strengthen the protection of healthcare workers in federal tertiary health institutions.
The measures include improved hospital security, violence-prevention teams, better incident-reporting systems and stronger collaboration between hospital management and security agencies.
They also provide for improved complaint-handling procedures to enable patients and their relatives to raise grievances without exposing healthcare workers or other hospital users to danger.
Salako insisted that these measures must translate into practical improvements in hospital security and the prevention of violence against medical personnel.
He further appealed to healthcare workers who had embarked on industrial action at FMC Abeokuta to return to work immediately in the interest of patients and the public.
The minister urged the striking workers to allow security agencies to investigate the reported stabbing, assuring them that the government remained committed to addressing concerns about their safety.
The industrial action has raised concerns about possible disruptions to medical services for patients who depend on the facility for treatment.
Salako also urged the hospital management to ensure that the affected medical scientist receives appropriate medical care and support, while strengthening security arrangements in line with government directives.
He extended the government’s condolences to the family of a deceased patient, acknowledging their grief while reiterating that dissatisfaction with medical services must never result in violence.
The minister maintained that patients and their relatives have the right to raise concerns about the quality of healthcare they receive, but must do so through recognised complaint channels.
He called for greater cooperation among healthcare workers, hospital administrators, security agencies and members of the public to ensure safety in medical facilities.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to pursuing accountability in the reported stabbing while working to improve security across federal health institutions.
It said protecting healthcare professionals and ensuring uninterrupted access to medical services require effective security systems, proper grievance procedures and decisive action against violence.
