The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has strongly condemned the ongoing spate of killings in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria, describing the violence as “senseless, alarming and a threat to the country’s public health system.”
In a statement issued by its President, Dr. Osundara Tope, the association lamented the massacre of over 200 persons in Yelwata, Benue State, and warned of an impending humanitarian crisis if the bloodshed continues unchecked.
“The continued killings in Benue and across the country are not only tragic but are also pushing our already fragile health system to the brink,” the statement read.
“Health workers are overstretched, exhausted, and now increasingly targeted, with some even caught in the crossfire.”
Dr. Osundara cited the killing of a young pharmacist, Matthew Lormba, as a grim example of the growing threat faced by health professionals in the region.
“His death is a painful reminder that health workers have become endangered species in Nigeria,” he said.
The association expressed grave concern that the rising insecurity has discouraged many doctors from working in rural and high-risk areas.
“Our members are receiving constant threats, and the anxiety is making it extremely difficult to deploy medical personnel to affected communities,” he added.
NARD also noted that the situation has led to widespread absenteeism of health workers in rural areas, severely affecting access to primary health care services.
The cascading effects, according to the group, include increased mental health challenges among medical personnel, reduced food production due to violence in agrarian communities, rising malnutrition, and soaring food prices.
Dr. Osundara did not limit his criticism to Benue alone. He condemned similar violent outbreaks in Katsina, Zamfara, and other volatile parts of the country, warning that over 10,000 lives have been lost nationwide in the past two years.
“This is fueling an increase in internally displaced persons, out-of-school children, and loss of livelihoods,” he said.
Calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent action, NARD demanded the immediate implementation of practical security strategies to prevent further loss of lives, particularly in the North-Central and North-East regions.
“There must be an immediate stop to this nationwide bloodshed to avert a looming national disaster,” Dr. Osundara stated. “Protecting life is a constitutional duty of every government. The time to act is now.”
The association offered condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the repose of their souls.
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