Benue: Des bergers armés tuent quatre personnes

The Federal Government has ordered a nationwide crackdown on assaults against health workers following reports of at least 18 incidents of violence, intimidation, and harassment recorded across federal tertiary health institutions in the past year. The directive was issued after a comprehensive review by the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers, which was formed following a tense confrontation between economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC) operatives and health workers at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State in May 2026. The incident disrupted clinical services and triggered industrial action, prompting the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to launch an investigation into rising threats against healthcare professionals. The committee, which included representatives from federal tertiary health institutions, professional bodies, regulatory agencies, security organizations, and human rights groups, concluded that the Uyo incident was not an isolated case. According to the report, the 18 incidents involved patients, relatives, members of the public, and security personnel, resulting in physical injuries, psychological trauma, damage to hospital property, disruptions to healthcare services, and industrial actions. Factors contributing to the attacks were identified as poor communication, prolonged waiting times, inadequate staffing, poor infrastructure, emotional distress, abuse of authority, and a lack of clear security protocols. To address the issue, the Federal Government has mandated that individuals found to have assaulted, threatened, intimidated, or harassed health workers be investigated and prosecuted under existing criminal, civil, or administrative laws where evidence supports such action. It emphasized that even in the absence of a specific law targeting violence against health workers, offenders would still face appropriate legal consequences. The government also directed all federal tertiary health institutions to enhance security measures, including establishing Violence Prevention Teams, improving surveillance systems, implementing stricter visitor identification procedures, and controlling access to emergency units and other sensitive areas. Additionally, hospitals have been instructed to appoint liaison officers to coordinate with security agencies while ensuring that security operations do not interfere with patient care or breach confidentiality. All cases of assault or harassment in health facilities must be promptly reported, investigated, and documented, with affected workers receiving institutional support and serious cases forwarded to relevant authorities. Hospital management has also been tasked with improving complaint resolution mechanisms, enhancing communication with patients, and training staff in conflict prevention and de-escalation techniques. The ministry announced that broader recommendations from the committee will be submitted to the next National Council on Health for consideration as a national framework applicable to both public and private healthcare institutions. Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, reiterated that the safety of healthcare workers remains a top priority for the government. He stated that health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and must be able to perform their duties in a safe, secure, and harassment-free environment. The government has vowed to continue working with all relevant stakeholders to achieve this goal. Separately, in Benue State, suspected armed herders have killed four people and injured several others in Abaashwa, a village in Guma Local Government Area. The attack, which took place at around 11 p.m. on Monday, lasted approximately an hour. Residents suspect the incident may be linked to the recent arrest of an armed herder in the community, although there is no official confirmation of this connection. The police had previously responded to complaints from residents regarding alleged open grazing by armed herders, who were accused of carrying firearms and destroying farmland. One herder was subsequently arrested for allegedly possessing a rifle while grazing cattle in the area. Residents have raised concerns about delayed medical treatment for injured victims due to a doctor's strike at the General Hospital in Gbajimba. They have called on the federal and state governments to increase security presence in the region and to halt the ongoing attacks on farming communities. Efforts to contact the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, with calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Aondongu, going unanswered. This incident follows a series of violent attacks in Benue State, including the killing of at least 15 people in Efeyi community and the deaths of three others in separate attacks on Elulu and Agadagba communities. The recent wave of violence has sparked fears of reprisal attacks, despite no formal link being established by security agencies.