The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, condemned the attack on Mr Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.
In a statement issued on Monday, 12 October , 2026, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said no level of frustration or dissatisfaction with healthcare services justified violence against health workers.
Salako urged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure the swift arrest of the alleged attacker, adding that the ministry would follow the case to ensure justice is served.
He said the incident highlighted the need to strengthen security measures in federal tertiary health institutions, as directed by the ministry on 5 August, 2026.
The measures include improved security arrangements, violence-prevention teams, incident reporting systems, collaboration with law enforcement agencies and better procedures for handling complaints.
The minister stressed that these measures must provide effective protection for health workers across the country’s health facilities.
He also appealed to health workers who had embarked on industrial action at FMC Abeokuta to return to work in the interest of patients and the public, while allowing security agencies to investigate the incident.
Salako urged the hospital’s management to ensure that the injured staff member received appropriate medical care and support, while strengthening security in line with the Federal Government’s directives.
The minister also extended the government’s condolences to the family of the deceased patient, acknowledging the pain associated with losing a loved one.
He advised patients and their relatives who were dissatisfied with the care received at health facilities to use formal complaint channels to seek redress rather than resort to violence.
The ministry reiterated that protecting health workers was essential to safe and uninterrupted healthcare delivery, stressing that hospitals must remain safe environments for both healthcare professionals and patients.
