Manny Ita –
The Nigerian Nurses Forum has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) following reports that a nurse was allegedly assaulted while carrying out an immunization exercise in Lagos State.
The petition comes after a video and accompanying reports circulated widely on social media, showing an altercation involving a nurse identified as part of a public health immunization team. The incident was said to have occurred while the nurse was performing her official duties within a community in Lagos.
In a statement issued by the Forum, the group condemned the alleged assault and described it as an attack not only on the individual nurse but on the nursing profession and public health workers nationwide. The Forum stated that nurses engaged in immunization and other outreach programmes often face hostility despite working to protect communities from preventable diseases.
According to the petition, the nurse was reportedly confronted and physically attacked by individuals within the community, disrupting the immunization exercise and causing distress to health workers on duty. The Forum said such incidents discourage frontline health workers and could undermine national public health efforts.
The nurses urged the IGP to order a thorough investigation into the incident, identify those responsible, and ensure they are prosecuted according to the law. They also called for improved security arrangements for nurses and other health workers involved in field assignments, particularly during vaccination and sensitization campaigns.
The Forum further appealed to the Lagos State Government and relevant health authorities to engage communities more effectively and provide adequate protection for healthcare workers operating outside hospital settings.
Police authorities have not yet issued an official response to the petition at the time of reporting. However, the Forum expressed hope that swift action by the police would serve as a deterrent and reaffirm the safety and dignity of nurses and other frontline health workers across the country.
