Ondo Nurses Threaten Night Duty Withdrawal After Gunmen Abduct Colleagues at Akure Health Centre
Akure, Ondo State – 30 March 2026
Nurses in Ondo State have issued a strong warning that they may suspend all night shifts across public health facilities unless the state government urgently improves security, following a violent armed raid on a primary health centre in the heart of Akure.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 28 March 2026, when gunmen stormed the Comprehensive Primary Health Centre in the Oke Ijebu area of Akure around 2:00 a.m. Reports indicate that between three and six health workers including nurses and interns were assaulted, robbed of valuables such as mobile phones and cash, and temporarily abducted. The attackers reportedly arrived in a vehicle, forced entry into the facility, beat staff on duty, and took the victims to a bush area along the Akure-Ondo Road near Olokuta Prison before abandoning them.
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Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) responded swiftly and rescued at least three of the abducted health workers around 4:30 a.m. One victim, nurse Omolabake Kayode, later described the terror of the ordeal, noting that some colleagues had attempted to hide in toilets only to be dragged out.
Union’s Firm Response
Comrade Felix Orobode, Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in Ondo State, visited the scene and condemned the attack as a clear sign of deepening insecurity in the state.
“For such a brazen incident to happen in Oke Ijebu, in the heart of Akure, shows clearly that we are facing serious security challenges,” he said.
Orobode highlighted the inadequate security arrangements at many health facilities, where protection often relies on elderly, unarmed guards lacking proper training or equipment.
He warned that fear among healthcare workers is already affecting morale and service delivery.
“If health workers are afraid for their lives, how can they perform effectively?” he asked.
In a direct ultimatum, the union leader stated:
“We cannot continue to expose our members to danger. If the government fails to secure our health facilities, nurses will withdraw from night duties across Ondo State.”
The NANNM Ondo State Council has begun engagements with the state Commissioner for Health and the Chairman of Akure South Local Government. The union’s executive council is expected to meet shortly to decide on next steps, which could include a formal withdrawal from night shifts a move that would severely disrupt emergency care, maternal services, and 24-hour healthcare delivery.
Why This Matters for Healthcare in Nigeria
Night duties are critical in primary health centres, which serve as the first line of care for communities, handling emergencies, deliveries, and routine treatments outside regular hours. A statewide suspension would place immense pressure on an already strained health system and put patients at greater risk.
This latest incident reflects broader challenges facing frontline health workers in Nigeria, where under-secured facilities expose nurses and midwives to robbery, assault, and abduction. Experts in health systems security argue that investing in perimeter fencing, adequate lighting, trained security personnel, CCTV, and rapid response protocols is essential,not optional to protect those who protect public health.
Fellow Nurses Africa stands in solidarity with our colleagues in Ondo State. The safety of nurses and midwives must be treated as a non-negotiable priority. No health worker should have to choose between their life and their duty to patients.
We urge the Ondo State Government to act decisively and transparently. The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property especially those on the frontline of essential services.
The Fellow Nurses Africa News Team will continue monitoring developments and will provide updates as the situation evolves.
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Kehinde Oluwatosin is one of the many editors here at Fellow Nurses Africa and fellownurses.com.
He is a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree in healthcare leadership from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Kehinde is passionate about advancing the nursing profession across Africa. As Co-Founder of Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a key role in shaping editorial direction, ensuring our content educates, informs, and empowers nurses continent-wide.
With expertise in leadership, patient flow, and healthcare operations, Kehinde brings valuable insights to nursing news, career development, and policy discussions. He is committed to amplifying the voice of African nurses and driving positive change in the profession.
