A nurse with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, Chinemerem Chuwumezie, has been killed by suspected “one-chance” criminals after closing from duty in the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident occurred on January 3, after Chuwumezie closed from her afternoon shift and was returning home.
Her body was later found by the roadside on the morning of January 4 and deposited at the FMC Jabi mortuary.
Chuwumezie was a staff member of FMC Jabi until her death.
The chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council, Jama Medan, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday.
Reacting to the killing, the Elegant Nurses Forum condemned the incident and the state of insecurity across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Nurse Thomas Olamide, the forum said Chuwumezie was killed while returning home after a late duty and accused the government of failing to protect citizens, including health workers.
The forum said health workers are required to work late hours and night shifts but are left to commute without protection.
It described the killing as part of a wider pattern affecting workers across the country.
The group also criticised labour unions and trade union leaders for what it described as silence over attacks on workers.
The Elegant Nurses Forum called for an investigation into the killing and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
It also demanded government-funded shuttle services for workers in major institutions, improved security around hospitals and major routes and formal recognition of health workers as high-risk essential workers.
The forum further called for action by trade unions, accountability from government officials responsible for internal security and measures to protect workers during and after duty hours.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM FHI) also reacted to the incident.
In a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, National Secretary Enya Osinachi said the association was heartbroken over the killing of Nurse Chinemerem Chukwumezie of FMC Jabi.
Osinachi said the nurse ended her shift, boarded public transport and did not arrive home.
She said the association viewed the killing as evidence of insecurity affecting nurses who commute after long shifts in several Nigerian cities.
NANNM FHI condemned the killing, expressed solidarity with the victim’s family and colleagues and said sympathy must be followed by government action.
The association urged authorities to investigate the incident, arrest those responsible, improve security around hospitals and worker routes, provide staff transport and recognise nurses as high-risk essential workers.
It also called for hazard allowances, life insurance, welfare support for families, and regular security risk assessments to prevent further loss of lives among nurses.
Osinachi said nurses are caregivers and breadwinners, adding that the loss of health workers affects patients and healthcare delivery nationwide.
