Protest Rocks OOUTH as Nurse Is Strangled, Slapped by Patient’s Relative

Protest Rocks OOUTH as Nurse Is Strangled, Slapped by Patient’s Relative

FNA NEWS | 15 October 2026

Nurses at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, staged a protest on Thursday following the assault of a nurse by a patient’s relative, raising serious concerns about healthcare workers’ safety, hospital security and the protection of frontline staff.

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Speaking to a Fellow Nurses Africa correspondent, a nurse who witnessed the incident recounted how her colleague was strangled and repeatedly slapped while on duty during the night shift on Wednesday, 14 October.

The assault reportedly occurred following the death of a patient receiving treatment for end-stage neuroblastoma. According to the account provided to FNA, two patients experienced cardiac arrest during the same shift, leaving the two nurses on duty attending to separate medical emergencies when the attack occurred.

The witness said she immediately sought help from hospital security personnel but received no response from those she approached. She subsequently contacted the supervisor on duty, who reportedly reached out to the police for intervention.

The situation escalated further when the patient’s relatives allegedly returned to the ward at approximately 1:25 a.m. and issued additional threats against nursing staff.

The incident prompted a protest on Thursday morning, with nurses demanding accountability, improved security and concrete measures to protect healthcare workers from further violence.

Two Cardiac Arrest Emergencies Amid Assault

According to the incident report obtained by Fellow Nurses Africa, two patients suffered cardiac arrest during the night shift and required immediate resuscitation.

With only two nurses on duty, the nursing team reportedly had to divide its attention between the separate emergencies.

While the nurses were occupied with these critical situations, a relative of the patient who had died allegedly attacked one of them.

The colleague who witnessed the assault said she ran to seek assistance from hospital security personnel. However, she reported that those she approached did not respond to her call for help.

She subsequently contacted the supervisor on duty, who reportedly contacted the police.

The account raises serious questions about the availability and responsiveness of security personnel when healthcare workers face immediate threats, particularly during night shifts and medical emergencies.

A hospital’s security arrangements must enable staff to summon help quickly without compromising the care of critically ill patients.

Further Threats Reported at 1:25 a.m.

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The incident report stated that the patient’s relatives returned to the ward at approximately 1:25 a.m. and threatened nursing staff again.

The reported return heightened fears among the nurses, particularly following the earlier physical assault and the unsuccessful attempt to obtain immediate security assistance.

The assaulted nurse was reported to be experiencing significant physical pain and emotional distress. The colleague who witnessed the incident also described being emotionally affected by the experience.

The incident highlights the need for hospitals to have clear procedures for responding to threats, protecting affected staff and preventing alleged perpetrators from returning to clinical areas to intimidate healthcare workers.

Why Did Nurses Protest?

Following the incident, hospital management reportedly directed nursing staff to resume their duties.

However, the affected nurses remained concerned about their safety and the reported failure of security personnel to respond when help was first requested.

The nursing staff subsequently staged a protest on Thursday morning, 15 October, demanding accountability and stronger protection at work.

The demands outlined in the incident report include:

• A formal and impartial investigation into the assault and subsequent threats.

• An investigation into the reported failure of security personnel to respond.

• Immediate measures to protect the assaulted nurse and other staff from further threats or retaliation.

• Adequate security coverage, particularly during night shifts.

• Medical assessment, treatment and psychological support for the affected nurse.

• A review of staffing arrangements and emergency response procedures.

• A review of the clinical escalation and referral concerns raised before the patient’s death.

• Written assurances from management that effective staff protection measures will be implemented.

The nurses’ concerns extend beyond the alleged assault itself. They also concern whether healthcare workers can perform their duties safely when emergencies occur and security assistance is urgently needed.

Questions Surrounding the Patient’s Clinical Care

The incident report also raised concerns about the circumstances preceding the patient’s death.

According to the report, the medical team had been informed of the patient’s deteriorating condition, and a request had been made to refer the patient to another hospital for further management. The report stated that the referral was not carried out.

The reasons for the referral request, the clinical decisions made and the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death require examination of the relevant medical records and accounts from the professionals involved.

These clinical questions should be investigated separately from the assault. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a patient’s death, violence against healthcare workers is unacceptable.

Nurses’ Safety Is a Patient Safety Issue

The incident at OOUTH highlights a fundamental issue in healthcare: staff safety and patient safety are closely connected.

Nurses are responsible for monitoring patients, responding to emergencies, administering treatment and supporting families during distressing circumstances. When nurses are physically attacked or threatened, their own wellbeing is endangered, and the delivery of care may also be disrupted.

Hospitals therefore need effective security systems, reliable emergency alert procedures, clear reporting channels and prompt responses to threats against staff.

Adequate staffing and emergency response arrangements are equally important. When multiple patients require urgent resuscitation, healthcare teams must be supported by systems that allow them to respond effectively without being left unnecessarily vulnerable to violence.

The death of a loved one can cause profound grief and distress. However, those emotions cannot justify assaulting or threatening healthcare professionals.

What Must Happen Next?

The immediate priority should be the safety and wellbeing of the assaulted nurse and other affected staff.

Hospital management should ensure that the incident is formally investigated, relevant evidence is preserved, security response procedures are reviewed and appropriate action is taken based on the findings.

The reported referral concerns should also be examined through the appropriate clinical review process.

Beyond the immediate incident, the hospital must engage constructively with nursing staff to address their concerns and establish clear safeguards against future violence.

Fellow Nurses Africa calls for accountability, effective security and concrete measures to protect nurses and other healthcare workers from assault and intimidation in the workplace.

No nurse should have to choose between responding to a medical emergency and protecting herself from violence. Healthcare workers must be able to perform their duties in an environment where their safety and dignity are respected.

Fellow Nurses Africa will continue to follow developments and report further confirmed information as it becomes available.

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