Fellow Nurses Africa News || London, United Kingdom || June 12, 2025
In a chilling reminder of the growing wave of knife violence across the United Kingdom, a Nigerian man based in London has survived a near-fatal stabbing that left him with punctured lungs and required emergency surgery.
Daniel Holkss, who goes by @danielholkss, recounted his traumatic ordeal on X (formerly Twitter), posting a message just hours after surgery.
“Going to work and getting stabbed on the chest wasn’t on my to-do list yesterday, but here I am… a couple of hours of surgery later,” he wrote.
“Punctured lungs… bro wanted to end me.”
The tweet quickly went viral, drawing widespread concern and solidarity from the African and healthcare communities both in the UK and globally. Read the full post here →
A Pattern of Violence Targeting Healthcare Workers and Youth
Holkss’ case is only the latest in a disturbing string of stabbings that have put the safety of healthcare workers and youth in sharp focus.
Just Months ago, a nurse was stabbed within the premises of Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester by an angry patient at the Accident and Emergency. In another recent incident, a 16-year-old boy was stabbed in broad daylight along Moston Lane in Manchester just earlier this week prompting renewed calls for action against youth-targeted violence in vulnerable communities.
Together, these incidents paint a troubling picture. Knife crime in the UK has surged over the past year, with the Office for National Statistics reporting a 7% increase in knife-related offenses. Vulnerable groups, including immigrants, healthcare professionals, and youth, appear to be increasingly at risk.
At Fellow Nurses Africa, pur hearts are with Daniel and we wish him a quick recovery.
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This is a clarion call to the government of the United Kingdom to please look into the situation. This is alarming. May God continue to keep our youths.