… Issue ultimatum to govt over safety concerns.

Healthcare services in Ondo State are at risk of disruption as nurses and midwives have threatened to boycott night shifts following a violent attack at a primary health facility in Akure, the state capital.

The threat comes after unidentified gunmen, at the weekend, attacked Oke Ijebu Health Centre within Akure metropolis and assaulted medical personnel on duty and as well stole valuables.

With the development raising concerns over the safety of healthcare workers in the state, Comrade Felix Orobode, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ondo State Council, issued the ultimatum on Sunday and called for immediate security improvements at all public health facilities.

Orobode described the incident as a clear sign of worsening insecurity in the state, particularly since it occurred in the heart of the capital.

According to the NANNM Chairman, “For this to happen in Okejebu, the heart of Akure, shows clearly that we are facing serious security challenges.”

Orobode expressed concern over the lack of adequate security personnel at public health facilities, noting that many centres depend 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.

“We were told the attackers came and forced their way into the facility. The staff on duty were beaten, and some were taken away.

“The government must act now. The primary responsibility of any government is the security of lives and property,” he said.

Orobode emphasised that fear among health workers could severely affect service delivery, as staff may hesitate to attend to patients during vulnerable hours.

He disclosed that discussions had begun with the State Commissioner for Health and the Akure South Local Government Chairman to address the situation.

“When we spoke with the victims, they said they were dropped around Olokuta Prison along Ondo Road. That is what we reliably gathered. The victims were not formally rescued but found later after being abandoned by the attackers.”