The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has denounced the killing of one of its members, Chinemerem Chuwumeziem of the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, describing the incident as an attack on the nursing profession and healthcare workers nationwide.
The association said the killing, which it labelled “wicked and senseless,” has deepened fears over the safety of nurses, particularly during their daily commute to and from duty posts.
Although PUNCH Metro could not independently confirm the details surrounding the incident as of the time of filing this report, the association urged security agencies to step in and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of the NANNM FCT Council, Jama Medan, the association said the deceased, Nurse Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, was actively serving at FMC Abuja before her alleged brutal murder.
“I write on behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, FCT Council, to express our deep sorrow, outrage, and total condemnation of the unjust and brutal killing of our innocent young colleague, Nurse Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, who was in active service with the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja,” the statement read.
According to the association, the nurse had finished her afternoon shift on January 3, 2026, boarded a vehicle on her way home, but did not return alive.
“Having spent her day rendering selfless service to humanity and saving lives, she closed from afternoon duty and boarded a vehicle on her way home. Tragically, she never made it home alive,” the statement said.
The association added that her body was later found “dumped in a most inhumane and heartbreaking manner,” stressing that the killing was not only an attack on the nursing profession but also an affront to humanity.
It called on security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to carry out a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident.
“We hereby call on the entire security architecture in the FCT to immediately conduct a professional investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice without delay,” it stated.
The association also raised concerns over what it described as increasing harassment and attacks on nurses, warning that healthcare workers now face serious security risks, particularly during early morning and late-night movements.
“Our lives are no longer safe. Nurses leave their homes daily to save lives, yet many are uncertain of returning alive to their families,” the association said.
It appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to enhance security around hospitals and major transit points used by healthcare workers and to explore the provision of organised transportation for nurses where possible.
The association further expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, the management of FMC Jabi, Abuja, and nurses across the country, describing the loss as devastating and irreversible.
“We demand justice for our fallen colleague and urgent government intervention to guarantee the safety and security of all nurses and healthcare workers in the Federal Capital Territory. Anything short of decisive action will further expose nurses to danger and erode public confidence in the nation’s security system,” the statement added.
Attempts to obtain a reaction from the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to her by PUNCH Metro were not returned as of the time of filing this report.
While the circumstances surrounding the killing remain unclear, the incident has further heightened concerns about the worsening security situation in the country.
