The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has condemned the brutal assault on one of its members, Dr. Adeniyi A, a registrar in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State.
The Association described the incident as a dangerous attack on the medical profession and Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The assault reportedly occurred on Thursday, February 5, 2026, while Dr. Adeniyi was on duty at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital.
The Association in a statement jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, made available to journalists on Saturday, said it received the report “with deep concern and profound outrage.”
“Hospitals must not become killing fields,” NARD said, describing the attack as “reprehensible, barbaric, and a direct assault on the medical profession.”
NARD said Dr. Adeniyi was physically attacked by a group of individuals alleged to be relatives of a surgical patient while carrying out his Hippocratic duties.
“It is even more disturbing that this occurred within a hospital environment, a place meant to preserve life, safety, and dignity,” the association said.
The doctors also lamented that no security personnel came to the aid of the victim during the attack, describing the hospital’s security architecture as “grossly inadequate.”
“The EGM observed that assault on health workers is becoming incessant and too frequent,” the doctors said, adding that members of the public increasingly resort to violence when seeking redress.
NARD issued a list of non-negotiable demands, including full compensation for Dr. Adeniyi, coverage of all medical expenses, immediate upgrading of security across FMC Owo, and the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the assault.
“Failure to meet these demands will compel the association to take all legitimate actions necessary to protect its members,” NARD warned.
The association warned that continued silence or indifference to attacks on doctors would no longer be tolerated.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” NARD said.
NARD called for urgent action to stop the rising wave of violence against healthcare workers in the country, insisting that hospitals must remain safe spaces for both patients and medical professionals.
“Enough is enough,” the association declared.
