KEY POINTS
- Two health workers in Ikorodu, Lagos, were detained after reporting an alleged security threat to their health centre.
- The workers alerted authorities after a pregnant woman and her husband reported being threatened by suspected bandits.
- A nurses’ group has condemned the detention and called for an investigation into the incident.
Two health workers attached to Okeletu Primary Health Care Centre in Ijede, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, were reportedly detained by police after alerting authorities to an alleged security threat against their facility.
The affected workers, identified as Nurse Ojumoro Faith and laboratory attendant Mellor Grace, were later granted bail following intervention by local government officials.
According to accounts of the incident, the situation began on Thursday evening when a pregnant woman and her husband arrived at the health facility seeking medical care.
Shortly after they arrived, three unidentified men reportedly approached the couple and demanded to know who managed the health centre.
When the couple informed the men that they did not know the management personnel, one of the men allegedly issued a warning, telling them to inform whoever they met that the group would return the following day.
The men reportedly left the area afterwards, while the pregnant woman was later referred to a general hospital for further treatment.
Health Workers Raise Alarm
The woman’s husband reportedly informed health workers on duty about the encounter, raising concerns among staff members.
Following the report, the health workers informed their supervisors, who escalated the matter through community security channels before it was eventually reported to the police.
Sources said the reported threat caused panic among staff, leading some doctors, nurses, and other workers on duty to leave the facility that night due to security concerns.
The following morning, police officers reportedly arrived at the health centre and requested to see the worker who had relayed the information to management through a voice note.
Nurse Ojumoro Faith and two colleagues, including Mellor Grace, were reportedly questioned about the incident before being taken to the hospital where the pregnant woman had been referred.
According to eyewitness accounts, the woman confirmed the details of the encounter she and her husband had reported.
Despite this, the health workers were allegedly taken to the police station where they wrote statements and remained there for several hours.
One of the workers was later released because of childcare responsibilities, while Nurse Ojumoro and Grace reportedly remained in custody.
Sources familiar with the incident claimed that police later accused the health workers of spreading false information and raising a false alarm.
The situation reportedly prompted intervention from local government officials, including the vice-chairman of the local council development area.
After discussions with the Divisional Police Officer, the workers were reportedly granted bail and taken home by the council official.
However, concerns have continued to trail the circumstances surrounding their detention and the manner in which they were allegedly treated.