Doctors threaten strike over assault on colleague in Ogun

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has directed its members at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, to immediately withdraw their services following the violent assault of a female house officer.

The Attack: A female house officer was reportedly singled out and brutally attacked by a group of about seven men, allegedly students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade.

Context: The incident occurred at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit. The attackers reportedly targeted the doctor after identifying her as part of the team that had attended to a patient who sadly passed away at the facility.

NARD's Stance: In a statement issued yesterday, March 31, 2026, and signed by the association's president, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, NARD condemned the act as "shocking and barbaric." They emphasized that hospitals must be treated as sanctuaries for healing rather than battlegrounds, citing this as a dangerous escalation of security failures within the Nigerian health sector.

Action Taken: Members have been directed to withdraw their services indefinitely until adequate security guarantees are provided by the hospital and government authorities to ensure the safety of healthcare workers.

This development reflects ongoing concerns regarding the safety of medical professionals across Nigeria, with similar reports of violence against healthcare workers recurring in various states.