Posted on: Wed 15-04-2026

Medical doctors in Lagos have called on the Nigeria Police Force and other government agencies to immediately halt what they describe as the growing harassment and unlawful detention of healthcare professionals across the state.

At a joint press briefing on Tuesday, the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Lagos chapter, and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State branch, raised alarm over what they termed a “disturbing escalation” of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and extortion of doctors often following complaints from relatives of deceased or critically ill patients.

‘A Threat to Public Safety’

Chairman of ANPMP Lagos, Dr. Esegie Jonathan, said the pattern of harassment had become “unrelenting,” warning that it now threatens not only the safety of medical practitioners but also the quality of emergency care available to the public.

“A doctor who is constantly harassed, intimidated, detained at will and extorted would be robbed of the bravery which most medical emergencies require,” he said. “If this continues, the result will be more preventable deaths.”

Jonathan cited several recent incidents, including:

• A doctor and nurses detained and allegedly forced to pay over N500,000 after a patient who had been discharged against medical advice was later brought in dead.
• A young doctor accused of manslaughter and detained, reportedly paying N1.5 million to regain his freedom after a child he treated died.
• Doctors arrested after performing emergency procedures, including one detained over post surgical complications.
• A medical officer held throughout the Easter holiday following the deaths of two critically ill children, with the hospital allegedly spending more than N2.3 million to secure his release.

“These are not isolated incidents,” he said, adding that some hospitals are shut down for days during such ordeals, leaving other patients without access to care.

NMA: Situation ‘Alarming and Unacceptable’

NMA Lagos Chairman, Dr. Babajide Saheed, echoed the concerns, describing the trend as “alarming and unacceptable.” He noted that harassment now extends beyond law enforcement to include public assaults, social media mob action, and pressure from institutions.

While expressing sympathy for grieving families, Saheed insisted that accountability in medical practice must follow established legal and professional channels.

“Doctors must be held accountable through due process, not through harassment or trial by public opinion,” he said.

Call for Due Process and Respect for Regulatory Bodies

Both associations emphasized that complaints relating to medical negligence or misconduct should be directed to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the statutory body responsible for investigating and disciplining practitioners.

They warned that bypassing the MDCN in favour of police intervention undermines professional regulation and opens the door to abuse.

The groups urged government agencies to respect the boundaries of medical practice and collaborate with healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes, noting that doctors already operate under intense pressure and resource constraints.

Doctors Turning to ‘Defensive Medicine’

Among their demands are an immediate end to arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and extortion of medical personnel, as well as the creation of a structured engagement framework between the medical community and law enforcement agencies.

They cautioned that the current climate is pushing doctors toward “defensive medicine,” where fear of legal consequences may cause hesitation in handling critical cases.

“An environment that intimidates medical practitioners ultimately endangers lives,” Saheed warned. “Our healthcare system can only thrive where doctors are protected and respected.”

Willingness to Engage

The associations reaffirmed their readiness to engage with the police and other stakeholders but insisted that such collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and adherence to due process.

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