Lagos doctors protested alleged police harassment and arrests, warning that the trend threatens healthcare delivery and patient safety.
Medical doctors under the Nigerian Medical Association and the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners staged a joint protest in Lagos, condemning alleged harassment and arrests by police. The march from LASUTH to the Police Command in Ikeja highlighted growing tensions, with doctors warning of threats to healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the rally, ANPMP Chairman Dr Jonathan Esegine said, “This is a gathering of historical importance… something is pursuing us.” He alleged doctors are “hounded at will” and detained without due process. “They act as accuser, prosecutor and judge at the same time,” he added, citing cases where practitioners were taken from hospitals mid-duty.
NMA Chairman Dr Babajide Saheed also criticised “multi-agency harassment” and social media trials. The protest followed the detention of a doctor and nurse in Lekki after two critically ill children died. Esegine said, “Instead of due process, the doctor and nurse were detained for about a week,” warning the trend could endanger patients.