The Federal Government has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the suspect who stabbed a Medical Laboratory Scientist, Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the demand while condemning the attack. His position was contained in a statement by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
Salako described the incident as an unacceptable act of violence. He said disagreements over medical treatment or services must never result in attacks on health workers, who should be able to carry out their duties safely and without fear of assault.
The minister said patients and relatives who are unhappy with the services of a hospital should channel their complaints through the appropriate avenues rather than resort to violence.
He urged the Nigeria Police Force to arrest the suspect without delay and prosecute him in line with the law. He also assured that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would follow the case closely to ensure justice is served.
According to Salako, the incident has renewed the need to protect health workers in federal tertiary hospitals across the country.
He recalled that the ministry rolled out measures on August 5, 2026, to boost the safety of medical personnel and curb violence in healthcare facilities. These include improved security arrangements, the setting up of teams to prevent violence, better systems for reporting attacks, and closer collaboration between hospital management and law enforcement agencies.
The measures also seek to strengthen the processes through which patients and their relatives can lodge complaints and find solutions to problems encountered during treatment.
The minister charged hospital administrators to ensure the guidelines are fully implemented, stressing that they must offer real protection to health workers and not remain on paper.
Salako also appealed to health workers who embarked on industrial action at FMC Abeokuta following the incident to resume work immediately. He said returning to their duties would safeguard the interests of patients and members of the public who rely on the hospital for medical care.
READ ALSO:
- Arise News Bans Anthony Kila From Its Platform Over Certificate Falsification Claims
- NASU to FG: Economic reforms must deliver relief, not deeper suffering
- Pope Leo XIV admitted to Rome hospital for lung nodule surgery
- FG Demands Arrest, Prosecution Of Suspect Who Stabbed Lab Scientist At FMC Abeokuta
- Military Retirees Barricade Pensions Board Office In Abuja
