The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has strongly condemned the stabbing of Mr. Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, a Medical Laboratory Scientist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The Ministry has called on law enforcement authorities to ensure the immediate arrest and full prosecution of the alleged assailant in accordance with the law.
Describing the attack as barbaric and completely unacceptable, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasized that no amount of grief, frustration, or dissatisfaction with patient care can justify violence against medical personnel. He urged the Nigeria Police Force to swiftly apprehend the suspect, affirming that the Ministry will closely monitor the case to ensure justice is served.
Dr. Salako noted that the violent incident underscores the urgent need to fully enforce the safety directives issued by the Ministry in August 2026. These mandatory measures include deploying strengthened security personnel, setting up dedicated violence-prevention teams, establishing robust incident reporting systems, and improving complaint-handling procedures across all federal tertiary health institutions.
Addressing the ongoing industrial action sparked by the attack, the Minister appealed to the striking health workers at FMC Abeokuta to immediately return to work. He urged personnel to prioritize patient care and the public interest while allowing security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrator to justice.
In addition to calling for calm, Dr. Salako directed the hospital’s management to provide comprehensive medical care and personal support for the injured laboratory scientist. He also instructed the facility to immediately overhaul and strengthen its physical security arrangements in line with federal safety guidelines.
The Minister extended the Federal Government’s heartfelt condolences to the family of the patient whose passing preceded the incident, acknowledging that the loss of a loved one requires deep compassion. However, he urged aggrieved individuals to utilize formal hospital complaint channels to resolve grievances fairly rather than resorting to self-help or violence.
Reaffirming the government’s stance, the Ministry emphasized that protecting healthcare personnel is vital to maintaining safe and uninterrupted medical services nationwide. Officials reiterated that hospitals must remain safe havens where healthcare workers can perform their life-saving duties without fear and where patients can receive care in a secure environment.
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