Quack, Not Nurse: NANNM Blasts Media Over Ogun Corps Member Death Reports
Abeokuta, Ogun State – 1 April 2026
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ogun State Council, has strongly criticised media coverage of the death of 23-year-old NYSC corps member Victoria Ariyo Olapeju, insisting the main suspect is a quack impersonating a nurse and not a qualified professional.
In an official rejoinder released today, NANNM directly addressed reports published on 26 March 2026 by major outlets including Punch, The Cable, Daily Trust, Vanguard and others. Those stories described Kehinde Adesanya, 37, as a “nurse” who had been remanded in prison over the alleged unlawful abortion that led to Ariyo’s death.
Clear Distinction from Professional Nursing
“Contrary to the representation in the said publications, the individual involved in the alleged unlawful abortion is not a trained or licensed nurse, but a quack impersonating the noble profession of nursing,” the association stated.
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NANNM emphasised that nursing is a strictly regulated profession in Nigeria, guided by ethical codes from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and a firm commitment to patient safety and the preservation of life. The actions alleged in the case, it said, are “completely inconsistent with the standards and scope of professional nursing practice.”
The association expressed deep concern that inaccurate headlines unfairly damage the reputation of thousands of dedicated, licensed nurses who provide essential care across the country with professionalism and integrity.
What the Official Reports Say
Victoria Ariyo, serving in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, reportedly died in mid-March 2026 from complications following an alleged illegal abortion. Police investigations linked the pregnancy to a relationship with Abass Olalekan, the NYSC Local Government Inspector for the area.
On 26 March 2026, Kehinde Adesanya was arraigned at the Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on four counts including conspiracy, supplying drugs for unlawful abortion, and murder under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State. The court ordered her remand for 60 days at Ibara Correctional Centre, pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. The case has been adjourned to 26 May 2026.
Abass Olalekan has faced separate but related charges.
NANNM’s Key Appeals
The Ogun State Council urged media organisations to:
- Verify facts thoroughly before publication
- Confirm professional identities with regulatory bodies such as the NMCN
- Uphold responsible journalism to avoid misleading the public
It also called on law enforcement and judicial authorities to ensure accurate identification and proper designation of individuals in criminal cases, preventing the wrongful linking of illegal acts to recognised professions.
Signed by Comr. (Nurse) Salami Oluwaseun, State Secretary, on behalf of the leadership (State Chairman: Bello Adejoke Oluwatoyin), the statement reaffirmed:
“The nursing profession remains committed to upholding the highest standards of care, ethics, and professionalism. We will continue to distance ourselves from quackery and support all lawful measures to bring unqualified individuals to justice.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard any insinuation linking the criminal act to the nursing profession.”
Why This Matters
This incident underscores two ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare system: the persistent danger of medical quackery, which endangers lives through unsafe practices, and the responsibility of the media to report professional credentials accurately in sensitive cases involving death.
Professional bodies like NANNM play a crucial role in safeguarding standards, protecting public trust, and advocating for stronger regulation against unqualified practitioners.
The case remains active in court.
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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.
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