Tuesday, October 13, 2026 - Health workers at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday commenced a 72-hour warning strike following the alleged stabbing of a medical laboratory scientist, Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, by a patient’s relative at the hospital on Sunday night.
The strike was announced in a protest letter dated October
12 and addressed to the hospital’s Medical Director by the Joint Action
Committee of five unions.
The unions are the Medical and Health Workers Union of
Nigeria, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, the Senior
Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied
Institutions, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, and the
Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
In the letter, the unions expressed outrage over the
incident, describing it as an unacceptable act of violence against a healthcare
worker performing his professional duties.
They said the attack constituted a serious assault on the
dignity, safety, and welfare of healthcare professionals who dedicate their
time and expertise to providing essential medical services.
The workers expressed concern that a facility established to
preserve lives and promote healing had become a place where healthcare
professionals could be physically attacked while carrying out their duties.
They stressed that disagreements, frustration or
dissatisfaction with hospital services could not justify threats or violence
against members of staff.
The unions added that the incident was not merely an attack
on the affected laboratory scientist but also an assault on the entire
workforce of the hospital.
Among their demands, the unions urged the management to
formally report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement authorities and
ensure that the alleged assailant was investigated and prosecuted in accordance
with the law.
They also warned against any attempt to conceal, trivialise
or resolve the matter in a manner that would undermine accountability.
The workers called for prompt and comprehensive medical
attention for the injured staff member, as well as psychological support and
other institutional assistance necessary for his recovery.
They further urged the management to urgently review and
strengthen security arrangements across the hospital, particularly in clinical
and laboratory areas, emergency units, and other vulnerable locations.
Other demands included an urgent meeting between the
management and union leaders to address security lapses and agree on concrete
measures to protect healthcare workers.
The unions also called for a firm policy against threats,
intimidation, harassment and physical assaults on staff, alongside clear
reporting procedures and improved collaboration with security agencies.
The letter stated that the 72-hour warning strike commenced
at 11 am on Monday, October 12, with workers expected to resume duty at 8 am on
Thursday, October 15.
The unions said the action was intended to register their
displeasure over the incident, demand accountability and compel the management
to take urgent steps to address security concerns.
Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, the hospital’s
spokesperson, Mrs Gbemisola Olatunji, said the management had met with the
unions to address the crisis.
Olatunji said the unions presented their demands during the
meeting, adding that the management appealed to them to suspend the strike in
the interest of members of the public.
She disclosed that the management had reported the incident
to the Kemta Police Station and that the affected staff member had made an
official statement to the police.
According to her, the Medical Director personally
accompanied the victim to the police station.
She said the unions had demanded the arrest and prosecution
of the alleged assailant, adding that the police were already handling the
matter.
Olatunji also said the management had agreed to strengthen
security around the hospital to prevent further attacks on healthcare workers.
She urged patients and their relatives to channel complaints
through the appropriate outlets rather than resort to violence against staff.
“We are hoping that by tomorrow, the unions will be back at
their duty posts,” she said.
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