Ondo State nurses issue ultimatum to stop work following kidnapping of six medical staff from government-run primary healthcare center

Nurses in Ondo State have threatened to stop working night shifts following the alleged abduction of six health workers by suspected gunmen at a state government primary health centre in Akure, the state capital.

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The kidnappers, who were heavily armed, stormed the health centre located in the Okeijebu area of Akure metropolis around 2:00 a.m. and forcibly took six health workers away.

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According to Comrade Felix Orobode, Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ondo State Council, the armed men invaded the government health facility, assaulted staff, robbed them of valuables, and whisked some of the health workers away.

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Orobode stated that the attackers stormed the facility at night, beat the staff mercilessly, and stole money and other belongings before taking some of the health workers away, with the staff on duty being beaten and some taken away by the attackers who came in a bus.

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The union leader said that the affected staff confirmed they were abandoned by their assailants along Ondo Road after the attack, with the victims stating they were dropped around Olokuta Prison along Ondo Road.

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This account is supported by 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.

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Orobode described the incident as a stark indication of worsening insecurity in the state, especially since it occurred in a central area of Akure, saying "For this to happen in Okejebu, the heart of Akure, shows clearly that we are facing serious security challenges."

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He warned that nurses across the state may boycott night shifts if urgent security measures are not implemented, stating "I want to make this clear: we are not going to wait until our members are kidnapped and we begin to raise ransom."

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Orobode 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, saying "You can see the security man here—an elderly man, unarmed, without any security training."

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Fear among health workers could severely impact service delivery, as staff may become reluctant to attend to patients during vulnerable hours, with Orobode saying "If health workers are afraid for their lives, how can they give their best to patients? The morale is already affected."

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Discussions have 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.

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Orobode emphasized that "The government must act now, as the primary responsibility of any government is the security of lives and property."