By Dayo Johnson, Akure
Following the alleged abduction of six health workers by suspected gunmen at a state government primary health centre PHC in Akure, Ondo State, nurses in the state, have threatened to withdraw from night duties.
Recall that the kidnappers, said to be heavily armed, invaded the health centre, located at Okeijebu area in the Akure metropolis around 2:00 a.m. and forcefully abducted six health workers.
The bandits rounded up health workers, including interns, who were on night duty, and bundled them into a waiting bus.
Responding to the incident, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ondo State Council, Comrade Felix Orobode, lamented that armed men invaded government health facility, assaulted staff, robbed them of valuables and whisked some of the health workers away
Orobode, said the attackers stormed the facility at night, “beat staff mercilessly” and stole money and other belongings before whisking some of the health workers away.
“We were told the attackers came in a bus and forced their way into the facility. The staff on duty were beaten and some were taken away.
The union leader said affected staff confirmed they were abandoned by their assailants along Ondo Road after the attack.
“When we spoke with the victims, they said they were dropped around Olokuta Prison along Ondo Road. That is what we reliably gathered.
“This account aligns with information from security sources, including local operatives, who indicated that the victims were not formally rescued but later found after being abandoned by the attackers along the same route.
Orobode described the incident as a stark indication of worsening insecurity in the state, especially as it occurred in a central area of Akure.
“For this to happen in Okejebu, the heart of Akure, shows clearly that we are facing serious security challenges,” he said.
He therfore warned that nurses across the state may boycott night shifts if urgent security measures are not implemented.
“I want to make this clear: we are not going to wait until our members are kidnapped and we begin to raise ransom. If government fails to secure our facilities, nurses will withdraw from night duty across Ondo State.
He expressed concern over the lack of adequate security personnel at public health facilities, noting that many centres rely on elderly guards without proper training or equipment.
“You can see the security man here—an elderly man, unarmed, without any security training. That is what we have in most of our facilities.
Orobode stressed that fear among health workers could severely impact service delivery, as staff may become reluctant to attend to patients during vulnerable hours.
“If health workers are afraid for their lives, how can they give their best to patients? The morale is already affected,” he added.
He said that “discussions had been initiated with the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka and the Akure South Council Chairman, to address the situation, while the union’s State Executive Council is expected to take a final decision on the proposed industrial action.
The union leader said that “The government must act now. The primary responsibility of any government is the security of lives and property.