A professional nursing group has condemned the alleged detention of two health workers by police officers in Lagos after they reported information about a suspected security threat targeting a primary healthcare facility.
The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) said Nurse Ojumoro Faith and laboratory attendant Mellor Grace were taken into custody by officers attached to Area N Police Station in Ijede, Ikorodu, despite acting in what the group described as the interest of public safety.
The incident reportedly began on Thursday evening at Okeletu Primary Health Care Centre when a pregnant woman and her husband arrived seeking medical attention.
According to eyewitness accounts, three unidentified men approached the couple at the facility’s entrance and allegedly demanded to know who managed the health centre. When the couple said they did not know, one of the men reportedly warned them to tell whoever they met to “get ready” because they would return the following day.
The couple later informed health workers about the encounter after the pregnant woman was referred to a general hospital for further treatment. Concerned by the alleged threat, staff members reportedly notified their supervisors, who escalated the matter through community security channels and eventually alerted the police.
Fearing a possible attack, doctors, nurses and other workers on duty reportedly left the facility that night.
The following day, police officers allegedly visited the health centre and requested to see the worker who had first relayed the information through a voice note to management.
According to sources, Nurse Ojumoro Faith, Mellor Grace and another colleague were questioned before being taken to the hospital where the pregnant woman had been referred. The woman reportedly confirmed the account she and her husband had given regarding the encounter with the unidentified men.
However, the inquiry reportedly took a different turn when the health workers were escorted to the police station, where they were asked to write statements and remained there for several hours.
While one of the workers was later released due to childcare responsibilities, Ojumoro and Grace allegedly remained in custody before eventually being granted bail following the intervention of local government officials.
Witnesses claimed that the officers later accused the health workers of spreading false information and raising unnecessary alarm.
The Elegant Nurses Forum described the development as disturbing, arguing that healthcare professionals should not be punished for reporting information they believe could affect public safety.
“Health workers are not criminals. They are frontline professionals who dedicate their lives to protecting the health and wellbeing of the public,” the group said in a statement.
“Punishing health workers for reporting a perceived security threat sends a dangerous message to citizens and professionals who may wish to assist law enforcement agencies with vital information.”
The forum called for a thorough investigation into the incident and demanded an official explanation from the Nigeria Police Force. It also urged authorities to strengthen security around Okeletu Primary Health Care Centre and other medical facilities in the area.
The group further appealed to the Lagos State Government, labour unions, civil society organisations and human rights groups to intervene.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official response to the allegations. Efforts to reach the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, were unsuccessful.
