The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the alleged physical assault of a community nurse during a government-approved immunisation exercise in Lagos State.
In a petition signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the forum condemned the reported assault on a nurse identified as Nurse Hussein, describing the incident as disturbing, unacceptable, and a direct attack on public health workers carrying out lawful duties.
According to the ENF, the incident occurred during a routine childhood immunisation outreach at Olanike Dairo Primary and Secondary School. The vaccination exercise was part of an official public health programme aimed at administering vaccines to eligible children within the school community.
The forum stated that the vaccination team was made up of licensed and trained health professionals duly authorised to carry out the exercise. On arrival at the school, however, the management reportedly raised concerns about the vaccination and requested that the team wait while internal consultations were held.
While the team waited, Nurse Hussein was allegedly assaulted by the school’s Head Mistress, identified as Madam Bimpe. The ENF said the nurse was standing peacefully with her colleagues when she was slapped.
The forum further noted that a video currently circulating on social media allegedly shows the Head Mistress admitting to slapping the nurse. If confirmed, the ENF said, the act amounts to assault on a health worker performing official duties on behalf of the government.
“This incident is not just an attack on an individual nurse, but an attack on public health services and the authority of government institutions,” the petition stated. “Health workers should not be subjected to violence, intimidation, or humiliation while serving the public.”
The ENF stressed that nurses and other healthcare professionals regularly place themselves at risk to protect lives and improve public health outcomes, and therefore deserve respect, dignity, and legal protection.
In its petition to the Inspector General of Police, the forum called for a thorough and immediate investigation into the incident, prosecution of anyone found culpable, protection for health workers involved in public health outreach, and a clear message that violence against healthcare workers will not be tolerated.
“Nurses and healthcare professionals risk their safety daily in the line of duty. They deserve respect, dignity, and full legal protection,” the forum said, expressing confidence that the police authorities would treat the matter with urgency.
Meanwhile, Nurse Hussein has given her personal account of the incident, which she said occurred on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, during a Measles and Rubella vaccination exercise at the school.
She explained that the health team had been instructed by their superiors not to enter the school compound until Health Educators were present, due to the school’s alleged history of rejecting vaccination exercises.
“When we arrived at the gate, one of my colleagues went inside despite the instruction,” she said. “I stayed outside because I wanted to follow the directive. I even tried to call her back, reminding her that we were supposed to wait outside.”
While standing at the school gate, Nurse Hussein said a woman suddenly emerged from the premises.
“She grabbed my face and twisted my mouth,” the nurse recounted. “Before I could understand what was happening, she slapped me.”
According to her, the woman accused her of tarnishing the school’s image by stating that the school does not accept vaccines. Nurse Hussein said she refused to apologise, insisting she had only followed official instructions.
She added that when her husband later arrived at the scene, the woman reportedly admitted that the school does not accept vaccines, but justified the slap on the grounds that the statement was made openly.
“I am making this report to formally document that I was physically assaulted for doing my job and for obeying instructions from my superiors,” Nurse Hussein said.