The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has condemned the killing of a 28-years-old nurse in Abuja, describing the incident as brutal, heartbreaking and a grave assault on the nursing profession.
The association said the deceased, who was reportedly attacked by suspected “one-chance” robbers, was a dedicated healthcare worker whose life was cut short while returning from duty.
Speaking with the sources on Tuesday in Abuja, the Chairman of (NANNM), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Mr. Daniel Akpan, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators were swiftly arrested and prosecuted.
Akpan said the killing had thrown nurses across the FCT and the country into mourning, stressing that no society could thrive when those who saves lives were unsafe.
“This is a painful and unacceptable loss. Our colleague went out to earn an honest living and never returned. Nurses are already working under immense pressure, and now they are being killed in cold blood,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government, the FCT Administration and security agencies to intensify efforts to curb criminal activities, particularly the menace of one-chance robberies in the nation’s capital.
According to him, Abuja, which should be one of the safest cities in the country, has witnessed rising cases of abductions, robberies and killings, instilling fear among residents, especially health workers who often travel early or late due to shift duties.
Akpan also called for improved public transportation safety, increased surveillance, and regular patrols in identified crime-prone areas to prevent a recurrence.
Similarly, the National President of (NANNM), Mr. Haruna Mamman, in a statement, demanded justice for the slain nurse and appealed to authorities to treat the matter with urgency.
Mamman said the association would not relent in engaging relevant stakeholders until concrete steps were taken to guarantee the safety of nurses and other healthcare workers nationwide.
“The life of every Nigerian nurse matters. We demand justice for our fallen colleagues and assurance that such tragedies will not continue,” he said.
He added that the association was considering peaceful advocacy actions to draw national attention to the growing insecurity affecting health workers.
Some colleagues of the deceased, who spoke to Sources on condition of anonymity, described her as hardworking, compassionate and committed to patient care.
They called on government at all levels to prioritise the safety of citizens, warning that continued insecurity could worsen the ongoing brain drain in the health sector.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has assured residents that investigations are ongoing and that efforts are being intensified to track down those responsible for the killing.
The police urged the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information that could aid the investigation.