The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has condemned the murder of one of its members, Chinemerem Chuwumeziem from the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, describing her death as an assault on the nursing profession and healthcare professionals nationwide.
The organization stated that the murder, described as “evil and irrational,” has raised fears regarding the safety of nurses, especially during their travels to and from work.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the NANNM FCT Council Chairman, Jama Medan, the association noted that the late Nurse Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem was actively serving at FMC Abuja prior to her reported violent 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 NANNM, the nurse had closed from her afternoon duty on January 3, 2026, and boarded a vehicle on her way home but never arrived 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.
It went on to say that her lifeless body was eventually discovered “dumped in a most inhumane and heartbreaking manner,” emphasizing that the conduct was an assault not just on the nursing profession, but also on mankind.
The association urged 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 conduct an extensive and transparent inquiry.
“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 nurses also bemoaned what it described as the growing harassment and attacks on nurses, noting that healthcare workers now face grave insecurity while commuting, especially during early morning and late-night shifts.
“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 recommended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory tighten security near hospitals and important junctions where healthcare personnel board cars, as well as explore providing organized transportation for nurses when possible.
The union also expressed its sympathies to the deceased’s family, the administration of FMC Jabi in Abuja, and nurses across the country, describing the loss as sad and irreplaceable.
“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.
