Nurse Brutalized By Soldier In Akure To Be Flown Out of State For Treatment

Adeyemi Adeniyi, the hospital nurse who was brutalized by a soldier in Akure a few days ago, is to be referred out of Ondo State for advanced medical attention, courtesy of the state government.

The decision to fly her out was made at a meeting of the State Council of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) held at the State Specialist General Hospital in Akure, but the state government is understood to be interested in footing the treatment bill.

The State Chairman of the union, Abel Oloniyo, said that the nurse’s condition was getting worse and that she needed to be flown out of the state immediately for urgent treatment, adding that her condition was getting beyond their control.

“It is highly pathetic that a soldier will descend on a woman by beating, injuring and causing her damage to result on the sick bed, I think this conduct is highly barbaric,” he said.

He said the state governor, through his Chief of State, Kola Ademujimi, had promised to foot the medical bills of the nurse. He however appealed to the management of the hospital to provide adequate security for health workers in all the hospitals in the state so as to guide against future occurrence.

Medical practitioners in the state are unanimous in condemning the attacking on the nurse, describing it as uncalled for and demanding that the perpetrator must not go unpunished.

The incident occurred when a soldier arrived, seeking treatment for one of his colleagues who was injured during an attack by unidentified gunmen on the Olokuta Medium Security Prison in Akure. As an argument ensued between them, he reportedly attacked the nurse, leading to several injuries, including a broken neck.

Following the incident, nurses earlier in the week abandoned their duty posts in protest, carrying placards to express their grievances and calling for the soldier to be brought to book. Members of her family have also continued to cry for justice as they prayed for the quick recovery of Adeyemi.

Meanwhile, Colonel Mohammed Zubairu, the Chief of Staff of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, based in Akure, has apologized to the nurses and assured them that the army authorities will ensure that justice is done in the matter.

Colonel Zubairu said the soldiers in the barracks were all disciplined and educated about how to relate with civilians, and that any officer found erring will not be spared.