The Elegant Nurses Forum strongly condemns the worsening level of insecurity in Nigeria, which continues to claim innocent lives and expose citizens, workers, and especially frontline health workers to grave danger.
We are deeply saddened and outraged by the brutal murder of Nurse Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja. She was murdered by suspected “one-chance” criminals while returning home after a late duty on Saturday. This is a painful and unacceptable loss. Nurse Chinemerem was a dedicated health worker who spent her life caring for others, only to be failed by a system that could not guarantee her safety.
This tragic incident is not an isolated case. It reflects a persistent failure of government at all levels to provide basic security for citizens. Health workers are compelled to work late hours, night shifts, and emergency duties, yet are left to navigate unsafe roads and transport systems without protection. These deaths are preventable. A responsible government would not allow workers, especially essential workers, to be exposed to such risks daily.
The Elegant Nurses Forum states clearly that the continued silence of trade unions and labour leadership in the face of growing insecurity is disappointing and unacceptable. Workers are being kidnapped, assaulted, and killed, yet there is no coordinated, firm response that matches the gravity of the situation. Silence in times like this amounts to complicity.
We therefore make the following clear demands:
- Immediate and thorough investigation into the murder of Nurse Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, with the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible.
- Provision of government-funded staff shuttle services in major workplaces, including hospitals, to convey workers safely to their homes or designated safe drop-off points, especially for late-night and early-morning shifts.
- Strengthening of security around health institutions and major worker routes, including visible policing, intelligence-driven patrols, and rapid response units.
- Formal recognition of health workers as high-risk essential workers, with specific safety policies to protect them during and after duty hours.
- Immediate action by trade unions and labour movements to break their silence, publicly confront government failures on insecurity, and actively defend the lives of workers.
- Accountability from government officials responsible for internal security, with measurable actions rather than empty assurances.
The life of every Nigerian matters. The life of every Nurse matters. Nurses cannot continue to save lives by day and be abandoned to death by night. Enough is enough.
The Elegant Nurses Forum stands in solidarity with the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Nurse Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem. We demand justice, safety, and responsible governance now, not after more lives are lost.
Signed:
Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide
For:
Elegant Nurses Forum