… Kicks against attack on member in Ondo

… ARD down tools in FMC Owo, Akure annex as thugs brutalize physician

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on nationwide industrial action over what it describes as incessant assaults and attacks on doctors in medical facilities in the country.

According to NARD, the recurring assaults on healthcare workers across Nigeria have become intolerable, unacceptable, and dangerous to the survival of the nation’s healthcare system.

The development was coming following an attack on a doctor at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State and its Akure Annex, the state capital by a wife of a patient and some suspected thugs.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the health facilities subsequently declared a 72-hour warning strike, a situation that had
crippled medical services at the medical center.

With the development leaving a number of patients stranded, the doctors insisted that the perpetrators must be arrested as well as the porous security in the medical center be addressed.

While expressing concern over the incident, which the doctors described as recurring, ARD, FMC Owo in a statement issued and signed its President, Dr. Adeola Oluwadamilola and General Secretary, Dr. Dare Aderemi stated that “the Association of Resident Doctors Federal Medical Centre Owo, convened an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) on the 30th of May 2026, on account of assault on a doctor on call at the Akure Annex of the hospital.

“The doctor was assaulted by the wife of a male patient. He was slapped several times and manhandled by her and the patient. Assault on doctors has become a “recurring decimal,” as this is the second occasion this year.

“The congress, according to the NARD protocol, declares a 72-hour total strike, which begins at 8 am on 31/05/2026. The strike will be reviewed only when adequate armed security is provided in the hospital and its annexes.

“That the strike will be reviewed only when the assailants have been arrested. That the assailant is made to make a public apology in a national daily of repute and pay damages to the assaulted doctor.

Also, NARD, in a statement signed by its president, Dr. Mohammed Usman Sulaiman, and secretary general, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, stressed that “Even more disturbing were reports that the assailants allegedly invited thugs to brutalize the doctor further. Fortunately, the doctor was swiftly whisked away to a secure location.

“The thugs reportedly issued open threats to attack him anywhere he is seen, having now recognized his face.
NARD unequivocally condemns this criminal, cowardly, and utterly reprehensible act.

“NARD will no longer fold its arms while doctors are treated like criminals in the very institutions where they serve humanity. Consequently, the leadership of NARD fully supports the 72-hour warning strike declared by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Owo.

“NARD also places on record that the threats issued against our member are taken with utmost seriousness. Should any harm come to him, directly or indirectly, the identified assailants and all parties connected to these threats must be held fully responsible.

“We call on the management of FMC Owo, the Ondo State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to act swiftly, decisively, and responsibly. Continued silence, negligence, or delayed response only emboldens perpetrators and further endangers healthcare workers across the country.