Members of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch have threatened to stop working and embark on protest against alleged police brutality over time.
The Association said that the latest attacks by police was on Tuesday, February 11 when one police officer, named Daniel, beat and wounded three nurses on night duty in Asokoro general hospital.
It was learnt that Daniel attacked the three nurses, including the Chief Nursing Officer (PNO) when a patient he had gone to visit was asked to provide N500 for random blood sugar.
Speaking to newsmen today, February 13, during a warning strike in Asokoro, the FCT chairperson, Debora Yusuf said that she’s not happy with the way police officers have been molesting nurses in various hospitals in the territory.
Debora said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Asokoro District, Aisha Yusuf had intervened by holding a closed door meeting with the leaders of the Association, but insisted that they would go ahead with strike action on Monday, February if the said police officer is not brought to justice.
According to Debora, the police officer, Daniel kicked one of the nurses on the chest, twisted the hand of the other and slapped the third on the face.
“To our greatest surprise, this man went away free and even threatened to deal with us.
“We no longer feel safe in the hands of our patients and their relatives. We can’t be treating patients and are being subjected to dangers.”
The protesting nurses today, marched on the street carrying placards with various inscriptions, including “police is not your friend,” “stop police violence against nurses, etc”
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the NANNM, Debora has advised her colleagues to be on standby for further instruction on the next line of action.
This was even as the DPO Aisha Yusuf refused to comment on the incident after her meeting with the NANNM officials, saying that she would not speak until she got clearance from the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
