ABEOKUTA, Ogun State — Nurses and students at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, have commenced a seven-day protest over the death of their colleague, Taiwo Godwin Ayodeji, amid allegations of possible lapses in emergency medical care.
The protest, which began on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, has attracted the presence of armed police officers reportedly stationed at the hospital’s entrance as demonstrators demand accountability over the incident.
A video circulating on Tuesday showed a police vehicle and several officers at the hospital gate. One of the protesters alleged that police officers confronted the demonstrators after they attempted to lock the gate.
The protester further claimed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) broke the gate and that officers pointed their guns at students during the confrontation. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Ayodeji reportedly died after suffering an asthma attack following a game of football.
An eyewitness alleged that the nurse was taken to the hospital’s emergency unit and placed on oxygen equipment that was not switched on.
The source further claimed that Ayodeji’s condition deteriorated before he received adequate medical attention.
Additional allegations indicated that his pulse became weak and his pupils dilated, while attempts to establish intravenous access and secure his airway were reportedly unsuccessful.
However, the allegations surrounding the circumstances of his death have not been independently verified, and the precise cause of death remains to be established.
The nurse’s death sparked outrage among colleagues and students, who called for a transparent investigation into the hospital’s emergency response and the medical attention provided to the deceased.
On October 18, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State Joint Campus Committee, threatened to mobilise students for mass protests if the hospital management failed to explain the circumstances surrounding the death within 24 hours.
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In a statement issued by its chairman, Comrade Faruq Olabode, the association demanded an independent investigation and called for an autopsy review to establish the cause of death and determine whether negligence or any failure in medical care contributed to the incident.
NANS also urged the Nigerian Medical Association, security agencies and relevant medical regulatory authorities to investigate the matter and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable under the law.
The association further appealed to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, to intervene.
Meanwhile, the management of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, has announced that an investigation into Ayodeji’s death is underway.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Abiola Ajibola, on behalf of the Acting Provost and Medical Director, the management expressed sadness over the incident and assured staff, students and the public that the investigation would be thorough, impartial and transparent.
The management stated that every necessary step would be taken to establish the facts, address any issues identified and ensure that justice is served.
The seven-day protest comes amid growing calls for accountability and improved emergency medical care at the facility.
As the investigation continues, protesters and concerned stakeholders are demanding clear answers about the circumstances surrounding Ayodeji’s death and appropriate action if any wrongdoing is established.
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