By Nkechi Eze
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has pledged the support of the Nigeria Police Force to the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in addressing the growing menace of quackery in the healthcare sector.
According to an official signed statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the IGP gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving a high-powered delegation of NANNM at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The delegation was led by the association’s National President, Comrade Haruna Mamman.
The statement noted that the meeting was attended by members of the Force Management Team, the Director of the Directorate of Force Medical Services, AIG Nkechi Eze, other senior police officers, as well as top executives of the association, including Comrade Bornbless Obasi, Comrade Jama Medan, Mrs. Adeboye Christianah, Mrs. Ampitan Evelyn, Comrade Oluwatoyin Ofere, Mr. Amusa Kazeem, Mrs. Ekong Omowumi, Mr. Olugbade Taiwo and Mrs. Balogun Omosalewa.
The engagement, it said, centred on strengthening collaboration between the police and healthcare professionals to enhance the protection of lives and improve public safety outcomes.
Speaking during the visit, Mamman expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of unlicensed medical practitioners across the country, warning that the trend poses significant risks to public health and erodes the credibility of the medical profession. He appealed for the intervention of the Nigeria Police Force to curb the activities of such illegal operators.
In his response, IGP Disu commended the vital role of nurses and midwives in the nation’s healthcare system, drawing parallels between their responsibilities and those of law enforcement personnel. He noted that both professions demand professionalism, compassion, integrity, and resilience, particularly in serving individuals at their most vulnerable moments.
The police chief reiterated his commitment to strengthening public trust and safeguarding citizens, urging the association to establish a seamless communication framework with the Force to support coordinated actions against unlicensed clinics and practitioners.
