OWO, Ondo State — The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has condemned the assault of a resident doctor at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, describing the incident as a “barbaric” attack on health workers and warning that violence in hospitals is becoming a dangerous pattern nationwide.
In a statement issued by its national leadership, NARD said Dr. Adeniyi A., a registrar in the Department of Internal Medicine, was attacked on Thursday, February 5, 2026, while on duty in the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit. The association alleged that the assailants were individuals linked to a surgical patient.
The statement, signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity/Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, said the incident occurred in a facility meant to guarantee safety and dignity for both patients and medical staff. NARD said such attacks are unacceptable and must no longer be met with silence.
NARD issued four key demands: compensation for the assaulted doctor; full coverage of his medical expenses; urgent strengthening of security architecture across critical points in FMC Owo; and immediate arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators. The association warned it could take further lawful actions if authorities fail to act decisively.
The group also commended the local Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at FMC Owo for its immediate response to the crisis and pledged institutional backing in the push for accountability. “An injury to one is an injury to all,” the national body said, while calling for Dr. Adeniyi’s speedy recovery.
The incident has reignited concerns over workplace safety in Nigeria’s public hospitals, where doctors’ unions have repeatedly reported intimidation, harassment, and physical attacks during emergency care delivery. Analysts say the Owo case could become a test of whether hospital security protocols—and legal consequences for assaulting health workers—are robust enough to deter future violence.
