Kwara Nurse Alleges Harassment, Assault By Health Officers, Forced To Kneel, Says OIC Wears Nylon Gloves To Take Delivery

Ilorin,  Kwara State– A Registered Nurse serving at Ekan Primary Health Centre in Oke Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, Rufus Favour Mojisola, has petitioned the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), alleging harassment, physical assault, and intimidation by senior health officials in the council.

In a letter addressed to the state chapter of NANNM, Rufus narrated that she has faced repeated humiliation and violence from the Officer in Charge of the facility, Ayinde Risikat, a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW), and the Head of Department (HOD) of Health in Oke Ero, Helen Bosede Olawuyi, also a CHEW.

She alleged that on September 9, 2025, she was forced to kneel down for two hours in her uniform in the HOD’s office to plead with her superior.

The next day, she claimed she was slapped twice by Olawuyi—first in her office and later in the presence of the local government chairman.

A query letter containing 11 allegations and a transfer posting to a remote, insecurity-prone community reportedly followed, which she described as part of an orchestrated campaign to humiliate and endanger her.

Rufus also alleged consistent verbal abuse from Risikat during immunization days between April and July 2025, where she was insulted and cursed in front of patients.

She claimed that her attempts to correct unsafe practices at the facility—including reusing syringes and lack of sterilization equipment—were met with hostility and further accusations of being “lazy and proud.”

According to her, she has been overwhelmed by excessive workload since a Community Health Officer posted alongside her was transferred in April without replacement.

She added that despite the presence of a records officer, she has been compelled to handle documentation duties alongside her family planning and immunization responsibilities.

The nurse further alleged that Olawuyi told her there was “no room for nurses in local government” and that she should be willing to sweep the clinic if asked.

Rufus has appealed to NANNM to intervene and protect her from what she described as targeted harassment and professional victimization fueled by jealousy. She also called for disciplinary action against the officers involved.

Meanwhile, the petition has been copied to the state chairman of NANNM and relevant authorities for necessary action.

The statement read,  “I, Rufus Favour Mojisola, am writing to bring to your urgent attention the harrowing and traumatic experiences I endured at my place of work in Oke Ero Local Government where I was posted to Ekan Primary Health Center. I am the only Registered Nurse amidst the staff.

“The Officer in Charge (OIC), Ayinde Risikat, is a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW). I serve as both the Family Planning provider and Immunization provider.

“The OIC, driven by cruel jealousy and envy, conspired against me with the Head of Department (HOD) of Health, Helen Bosede Olawuyi, who is also a CHEW. I desire it to be documented that a Community Health Officer, Kardiri Fehintola CHO, was posted together with me to the facility but she was transferred to Offa local Government since April and she was not replaced till date now.

“I was carrying the overwhelming loads of the hospital both Routine Immunization and Family Planning. I am the only one living in the Village where that facility is located amidst staff.

“On Tuesday, 9th September 2025, I was cruelly asked to kneel down on uniform for 2 hours in the HOD’s office to plead with my OIC. The HOD, Helen Bosede Olawuyi, brutally slapped me in her office. On Wednesday, 10th September 2025, the HOD, Helen Bosede Olawuyi, slapped me again in the Chairman’s office.

“A query letter was issued on Wednesday, 10th September 2025 at Oke Ero HOD Health’s office with 11 questions that I believe are untrue and part of the harassment. I was also issued a transfer letter to a remote location where security concerns due to kidnappers are a significant issue,” she said.

According to Rufus, “On Tuesdays, our fixed immunization days (Tuesday 8th April, 2025, Tuesday 6th May, 2025, Tuesday 17th June, 2025, Tuesday 8th July, 2025), during immunization in the reception, the OIC used abusive words on me in front of patients. The OIC’s complaint against me was that I am “very lazy and proud.” My OIC was raining curses and abusive words (“you are mad, you cannot be useful to your parents”) on me in the presence of patients the said dates and days mentioned above. She told me that since I have been vaccinating the children, none came back with Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI), but she will ensure that I make mistakes that will lead to amputating the children’s leg, and by then I will know that I’m a Nurse and not a CHEW.

“The OIC wears nylon gloves to take delivery. The facility did not have an autoclave, sterilizer, or dressing equipment. They store used syringes, rinse them with water, and reuse them for different patients. These were areas I tried to correct, and the OIC said I am proud. The HOD told me that there’s no room for Nurses in Local Government; if I cannot sweep the Clinic, whereas they have an attendant.

“After vaccination, I write the immunization Registers, Tally, Summary, and immunization cards, despite the presence of a record officer, Mrs. Adebayo Modupe Idowu, who comes to work by 12pm and leaves by 2pm.

“I seek urgent intervention and assistance from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Kwara State, to address this grave injustice. I believe I have been cruelly cheated and subjected to physical assault due to envy and jealousy from the CHEWs and their Chairman.

“I passionately request that NANNM, Kwara State, takes cognizance of this complaint and helps in ensuring that my rights as a Registered Nurse are protected and that appropriate actions are taken against those who have acted unprofessionally and abusively towards me,” she added.