FMC: NARD, others worry as theft, vandalism, assault force doctors away from wards

Federal Medical Centres, FMCs, across Nigeria, are increasingly battling disturbing cases of theft, vandalism and assault on doctors while on duty.

FMC Idi Aba, Abeokuta, is not immune from the worrisome situation. It is usually a busy place filled with doctors and nurses rushing to save lives. But early last month was different.

For three days, beginning June 4, 2026, resident doctors withdrew their services, leaving stethoscopes cold, patients stranded, and consultation rooms largely deserted. 

While consultants and non-resident medical officers remained on duty to handle emergencies, the absence of the frontline residency workforce left the federal tertiary institution partially crippled. They weren’t striking for better pay or modern equipment, they were striking for their lives.

The problem started from a midnight breach at the House Officers’ Quarters, a place that was supposed to offer rest to exhausted doctors, but instead became easy prey to criminals. The thieves allegedly slipped past the hospital’s security, carting away laptops, cash, phones, and vital documents among others.

The industrial action, which began on Thursday, June 4, was announced by the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, FMC Abeokuta, Dr Olanipekun Arise-Kola during an emergency general meeting.

The doctors described the incident as the latest manifestation of longstanding security deficiencies within the hospital environment, stressing that the safety of health workers can no longer be guaranteed under the current circumstances.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting, signed by the President and the Assistant General Secretary, Olufemi Alawode, the doctors resolved to unanimously withdraw their services temporarily in protest against what they described as persistent security lapses that have continued to endanger the lives and property of healthcare workers.

The communique reads in part: “The Association of Resident Doctors FMC, Abeokuta wishes to formally bring to the attention of the Management the grave concerns of its members regarding the recent security breach and theft incident that occurred at the House Officers’ Quarters.

“During the unfortunate incident, several valuable personal belongings were stolen, including five mobile phones, one laptop computer, cash, and a driver’s licence. This occurrence has further heightened the longstanding concerns of members about the inadequacy of security measures within the Hospital premises.

“Following an emergency meeting convened by members of the Association, it was unanimously resolved that the current security situation poses a significant threat to the safety, welfare, and property of the members of the Association of Residents Doctor within the Hospital premises. 

“Members expressed deep dissatisfaction with the repeated security lapses and the apparent absence of effective preventive measures. Consequently, members have resolved to embark on a three (3)-day warning strike commencing from today,4th June 2026 to 6th June, 2026 for the management to provide immediate and satisfactory assurances regarding the implementation of concrete security measures.”

To halt the industrial action, the striking doctors called for an immediate replacement of all stolen items, and a structural overhaul of the hospital’s security architecture. 

They also demanded that the current security outfit should be replaced with a more competent security service provider, installation of functional CCTV cameras across blind spots on the premises, the deployment of armed security personnel to strengthen security coverage, the establishment of a functional police post, fully staffed by active law enforcement officers and situated within or close to the residential quarters among others.

Despite the demands, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, FMC Abeokuta, Dr Olanipekun Arise-Kola, told DAILY POST that none had been met.  

“When the theft occurred, we made specific demands from the management. 

“Up till now, they keep saying they are working on it. We asked for a refund of the stolen items and for CCTV cameras to be installed. Nothing has been done and we are still watching.  

“By the time we act, that’s when they will start saying all sorts of things. But for now, nothing has changed,” he said.  

He added that what doctors need is adequate security to guarantee safety of lives and property.  

“There was increased police surveillance when the incident occurred, but it is only occasional. We want proper security within the hospital so we can discharge our duties without fear.”

Meanwhile, an anonymous source within the hospital told DAILY POST that the theft incident merely exposed a deeper, preexisting crisis of severe professional burnout among the frontline medical staff.

According to the source, the resident doctors had been raising alarms over chronic fatigue and demanding operational respite long before the security breach, but were repeatedly denied the opportunity to rest, asserting that the midnight vandalism at the quarters effectively served as an immediate exit strategy.

She said, “They had wanted to go on a break, they were already complaining before then that they had fatigue and everything, but the management didn’t give them space. Immediately they said their quarters were vandalised, that same day, they all travelled. So it’s somehow.

“They said it was three days but some stayed longer than that. Immediately they declared it,  all of them travelled. So they were looking for rest too.

“What I noticed the management did was that they mounted security personnel round their quarters and they also increased the security personnel in some strategic places at that time. But now, everything has gone back to normal,” she added.

DAILY POST reports that the June warning strike was not an isolated outburst, but the boiling point of “longstanding concerns” that management had allegedly ignored. 

In and Beyond FMC’s Security Threat

The security crisis at FMC Abeokuta is part of a terrifying nationwide trend where Nigerian medical institutions are rapidly transforming from sanctuaries of healing into vulnerable target zones. 

Across Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, Federal Medical Centres and teaching hospitals are grappling with a dual-threat security crisis, external criminal invasions and brutal physical assaults on doctors by patient relatives.

In 2023, two cases of the alleged assault on medical workers were recorded  at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta.

The first was on December 20, when a father, Ayodele Falomo, 56, and his son, allegedly assaulted a female doctor, Pelumi Somorin, and a nurse at the hospital following the death of his 53-year-old wife.

It was alleged that both the father and his son descended on the medical workers when informed that the woman had passed.

Following a report by Nigerian Medical Association, Ogun State Chapter, they were arrested by the police and arraigned the next day before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court on a two count charge of conspiracy and assault.

Also, another relative of a patient reportedly attacked a medical worker after a female patient died at the hospital. The patient was said to have died of lasting injuries from the beating she suffered from her attacker.

Meanwhile, in 2020, the doctors declared a one-day warning strike after a patient’s relative reportedly slapped a resident doctor, Dr Jelili Gbajumo in the hospital’s Department of Pediatric for allegedly preventing a female patient from entering the Neo-natal Ward with a long purdah to avoid spreading infection.

DAILY POST reported that the female patient who had just been delivered of a baby was kept in the ward for monitoring and treatment, while the female patient clad in a long purdah was advised to adjust her attire which was dragging to the ground so as to avoid the babies in the ward from getting infected. 

The woman allegedly reported the case to her husband who came into the ward with his friend and reportedly slapped the doctor. The assailant alongside the husband of the patient reportedly scaled the fence of the hospital to escape being arrested.

Meanwhile, in Ondo State, a medical doctor and registrar in the department of Internal Medicine at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo, Ondo State, was physically attacked by a group of individuals allegedly related to a surgical patient.

Dr Adeniyi was on duty in the Accident and Emergency Unit, performing his professional duties on Thursday, February 5, 2026, when the incident occurred. He was allegedly slapped multiple times by the wife of a patient before a group of suspected thugs were mobilised to the hospital. 

Following an emergency general meeting held on May 30, 2026, the ARD, FMC Owo, condemned the attack announcing a three-day strike that disrupted services at both FMC Owo and its Akure Annex.

The strike was over the incident and longstanding concerns about the safety of medical personnel. 

The association’s President, Dr Adeola Oluwadamilola, and Secretary-General, Dr Dare Aderemi, in a communiqué described the incident as another example of the growing violence healthcare workers face in the course of their duties, adding that the attack was the second recorded within the year.

30 resident doctors assaulted in one year — NARD

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, in June 2026, said no fewer than 30 resident doctors were assaulted across Nigeria within the last one year, noting that no fewer than 21 cases of assaults on healthcare workers were reported nationwide during the period, with about 30 resident doctors directly affected.

NARD revealed that five of the reported cases were charged to court, while only one assailant has been convicted to date.

According to them, the trend poses a serious threat not only to healthcare workers but also to the country’s healthcare delivery system and national health security.

It stated, “Available statistics before the association reveal that within the last one year alone, no fewer than 21 cases of assaults on healthcare workers were reported across the country, with about 30 resident doctors directly affected.

“Shockingly, fewer than five cases were charged to court, while only one assailant has been convicted to date.What this simply means is that in Nigeria today, approximately every two weeks, another case of assault against a healthcare worker is recorded,” the statement added.

The National President of NARD, Dr Muhammed Suleiman, described the development as “intolerable, unacceptable, and dangerous to the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system,” warning that the situation was creating fear among doctors and worsening workforce shortages as many consider leaving the country.

The association in June also issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to start implementing a national framework for the protection of healthcare workers, following a growing wave of attacks on medical personnel across the country.

NARD issued the ultimatum at a press briefing to end its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), which took place in Kano. 

According to the union’s president, the rising cases of assault, intimidation, harassment and violent attacks on doctors pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system.

FMC Abeokuta Calls For Intensified Security Measures

The Chief Medical Director of FMC Abeokuta, Dr Titilola Sarah Ibiyemi, last Thursday, July 16, expressed concern over the recent increase in theft and vandalism within the hospital, and called for intensified security measures to address the situation.

Dr Ibiyemi spoke while receiving the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Kemta Division, CSP Raheem Quadri, and members of his management team during a courtesy visit to the hospital.

She admitted that cases of theft had become worrisome and were already threatening service delivery at the facility.

“The Centre has maintained a strong working relationship with the Kemta Police Division, particularly in protecting lives and property. However, we are deeply concerned about the recent spike in theft and vandalism,” she said.

Corroborating the CMD, the Head of Clinical Services, Dr Olusola Adebisi, said the situation had become alarming, citing the recent vandalisation of an air-conditioning unit located close to the hospital’s Police post as an example of how brazen the thieves had become.

“We appeal to the Police to strengthen surveillance within and around the hospital and ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” she added.

Also speaking, the Director of Administration, Mr E. Apanisile, called for increased police patrols around the hospital, especially at night, and stressed the need for greater police intervention in curbing cases of assault on healthcare workers by patients and their relatives. 

“Such incidents pose a serious threat to the safety and morale of our staff who are already working under pressure to save lives,” he added.

Ogun Police Pledge Stronger Collaboration 

The Divisional Police Officer, CSP Raheem Quadri, assured the hospital management of the division’s commitment to providing prompt responses to distress calls and enhancing security around the facility.

The DPO who was accompanied by ASP Balogun Latifat, ASP Abdullahi Oyetunji, among other officers from the Kemta Police Division, stated that the purpose of the engagement was to deepen collaboration between the Police and the Centre in order to create a safer and more secure environment for patients, staff and visitors. 

He described the Police and FMC Abeokuta as partners in progress, noting that effective cooperation between both institutions is essential to safeguarding lives and property while supporting quality healthcare delivery.

Quadri pledged stronger collaboration with the Centre through improved patrols, intelligence sharing and rapid response. 

“We will continue to work closely with FMC Abeokuta to ensure the hospital remains a safe environment for patients, their families, healthcare professionals and other staff members,” he assured.

When contacted by DAILY POST, the Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed that the law enforcement agency had taken definitive action to address the security breach.

Babaseyi disclosed that tactical operatives are actively investigating the incident, while the command has immediately scaled up intelligence-led surveillance operations around the entire hospital axis. 

Reassuring the public and the medical community of their safety, the police spokesperson emphasized that the command is leaving nothing to chance in neutralizing criminal elements within the area.

“The command is investigating and has increased surveillance to forestall any further occurrence within the FMC axis. 

“We will do everything that needs to be done to protect lives and properties within the corridor and far beyond,” DSP Babaseyi stated.