What should be a profession of protection and care has increasingly become a perilous calling for health workers across Nigeria, as armed bandits, kidnappers and criminal gangs target medical professionals for abduction, ransom and murder, raising fresh alarms over the security environment and the future of the nation’s healthcare system.

Across urban centres and rural communities alike, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other caregivers are now facing violence not only on battlefronts of insecurity but while commuting to and from work or even within their homes — a trend that threatens to erode confidence in the health sector and worsen existing service delivery gaps.

Rising Violence Against Health Workers

Exclusive data obtained by health sector researchers shows that between 2019 and 2023 at least 109 healthcare workers were kidnapped and 17 killed in incidents linked largely to bandits and other armed non-state actors operating across numerous states. Victims include doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and laboratory staff, with kidnappings occurring at clinics, during travel and in residential areas.

The latest incidents include the brutal machete murder of a physiotherapist in Abuja and the killing of a nurse returning home after duty, both reportedly at the hands of armed groups, marking a deepening insecurity even in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.

Impact On Health System And Personnel

Security analysts warn that these targeted attacks are more than isolated crimes — they compound long-standing challenges in the health sector, including staff shortages, poor infrastructure and under-resourcing. Many health workers now cite fear as a factor in choosing safer postings or leaving the country entirely, deepening the ongoing exodus of skilled professionals.

Experts note that predictable work patterns, irregular shift hours and inadequate secure transport make healthcare workers vulnerable. Criminals often operate in poorly policed corridors and exploit gaps in security infrastructure such as inadequate patrols, poor lighting and limited rapid response capacity.

Calls For Urgent Action

Healthcare associations and civil society groups have condemned the attacks and called on federal and state authorities to implement comprehensive protection measures. Proposals include dedicated security escorts for health staff, improved emergency response systems, enhanced lighting and surveillance near health facilities, and hazard allowances for professionals in high-risk areas.

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives and other unions have also urged the government to address the “abhorrent targeting of life-savers” and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly.

Advocates say failure to curb violence not only jeopardises health personnel but disrupts essential services such as immunisation campaigns, maternal care, and treatment of chronic and communicable diseases — with ripple effects on national health indicators.

Broader Security Context

The escalation in attacks on health workers mirrors wider insecurity challenges confronting Nigeria, where armed groups have killed scores of civilians, security personnel and villagers in multiple states over recent years. Incidents of kidnappings and raids on highways and communities continue, underscoring the scale and persistence of armed banditry across the country.

Conclusion

As health workers become unwilling symbols of the broader insecurity plaguing Nigeria, stakeholders warn that without urgent and robust action by authorities, the violence will continue to undercut efforts to strengthen the country’s beleaguered health system — with devastating consequences for vulnerable populations nationwide.