FG Seeks Arrest, Prosecution of Suspect in FMC Abeokuta Stabbing

The Federal Government has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the suspect in the stabbing of a medical laboratory scientist, Lawal Toheeb Olasunkanmi, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, condemned the incident, describing the attack as unacceptable and stressing that disagreements over medical care could not justify violence against healthcare workers.

Salako made the call in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.

He urged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure the swift arrest of the suspect, adding that the ministry would follow the case to ensure justice was served.

The minister said the incident highlighted the need to implement measures introduced by the ministry on August 5, 2026, to strengthen the protection of health workers in federal tertiary hospitals.

The measures include improved security arrangements, violence-prevention teams, incident-reporting mechanisms, cooperation with law enforcement agencies and better procedures for handling complaints from patients and their relatives.

Salako stressed that the measures must provide effective protection for medical personnel across healthcare facilities, enabling them to carry out their duties without fear of attacks.

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 general public.

The minister urged the workers to allow security agencies to investigate the incident, assuring them that the government was committed to addressing concerns about their safety.

He further called on the hospital management to ensure that the injured scientist received appropriate medical care and support, while strengthening security arrangements in line with the Federal Government’s directives.

Salako also extended the government’s condolences to the family of the deceased patient, acknowledging the pain associated with losing a loved one.

The incident prompted health workers at the hospital to begin a 72-hour warning strike on Monday, October 12, demanding accountability and improved security for staff.

The industrial action, which excluded doctors, was scheduled to end at 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, according to the workers’ union.

The Federal Government maintained that protecting healthcare personnel was essential to ensuring safe, uninterrupted medical services for patients and the public.