FG Orders Arrest, Prosecution Over FMC Abeokuta St∆bbing
FG Orders Arrest, Prosecution Over FMC Abeokuta Stabbing
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziak Adekunle Salako.
The Federal Government has demanded the arrest and prosecution of the suspect who stabbed a medical laboratory scientist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The attack had triggered a 72-hour warning strike by health workers.
The victim, Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, was reportedly attacked by a patient’s relative while on duty on October 11, 2026.
Abiodun Famuyiwa, chairman of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria at the hospital, said Olasunkanmi sustained injuries to two parts of his body, including his head, and was receiving treatment.
Five health sector unions began the warning strike at 11 a.m. on Monday, demanding accountability and improved security for hospital staff. The action is scheduled to end at 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 15.
Reacting to the incident, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, condemned the attack and urged the Nigeria Police Force to expedite its investigation and arrest the suspect.Shop African Art
Salako said dissatisfaction with medical care or the loss of a loved one could not justify violence against healthcare workers. He added that the ministry would follow the case to ensure that justice was served.
In a statement on Monday by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, the government also called on FMC Abeokuta management to strengthen security and ensure that the injured worker receives appropriate medical treatment and support.
The ministry said the hospital should implement security measures introduced on August 5, 2026, for federal tertiary hospitals. The measures include improved security arrangements, violence-prevention teams, incident-reporting mechanisms, collaboration with law-enforcement agencies and procedures for handling complaints.
Salako appealed to the striking health workers to return to work, citing the impact of the industrial action on patients and the public. He also urged patients and their relatives to use established complaint channels when dissatisfied with hospital services.
In September 2026, resident doctors at FMC Abeokuta embarked on a five-day warning strike following the assault of a colleague and persistent security problems, including inadequate security personnel and poor lighting in parts of the hospital.
