Ondo nurses threaten to boycott night duties following a violent attack on a health centre in Akure, demanding better security.
Medical services in Ondo State face a potential shutdown of night operations. This follows a stark warning from nurses who are demanding better protection after a violent incident in Akure.
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has given the government an ultimatum. They are threatening to withdraw all night duty services if immediate security measures are not put in place.
The threat comes after a terrifying ordeal at the Oke Ijebu Health Centre. Armed men invaded the facility on Saturday night, attacking health workers and carting away valuables.
Felix Orobode, the State Chairman of the union, confirmed the attack. He explained that the assailants arrived in a bus and forcibly entered the premises. They beat the staff on duty and initially abducted some of them.
While there were initial reports of a rescue operation, Orobode clarified the situation. The victims were not rescued by security forces. Instead, the attackers abandoned them near Olokuta Prison along Ondo Road.
The incident has caused panic among medical personnel. Orobode noted that such a brazen attack in the heart of the state capital shows a serious breakdown in security.
He criticized the current state of safety at health facilities. Many centres rely on elderly, unarmed guards who are ill-equipped to handle armed threats. The union leader argued that nurses cannot work effectively while fearing for their lives.
The state government has been urged to act fast. Discussions are ongoing with health officials, but the union remains firm. They have made it clear that the safety of their members comes first, and a boycott is imminent if conditions do not improve.
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