A wave of fear and anger has gripped the medical community in Nigeria’s capital after a nurse was brutally assaulted by "one-chance" criminals, leaving her fighting for her life in an Intensive Care Unit.

The FCT chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has issued a blistering condemnation of the incident, declaring that the safety of healthcare workers has become a national emergency. The victim, a dedicated staff member at Wuse General Hospital, was attacked while commuting home after staying late to assist a colleague with a critical patient—a cruel twist of fate for a professional serving humanity.

The "One-Chance" Menace

"One-chance" refers to a notorious form of robbery in Abuja where criminals pose as commercial taxi drivers and passengers to trap, rob, and often violently assault unsuspecting victims. The nurse was beaten and thrown out of the moving vehicle, a modus operandi that has become terrifyingly common. Jama Medan, the chapter chairman, described the attack as "barbaric" and "unacceptable."

The association is not just offering thoughts and prayers; they are demanding action. They have called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately secure the bus stops around major hospitals. Areas like Wuse, Asokoro, and Maitama are now considered "death traps" for nurses working night shifts.

• The Victim: A nurse from Wuse General Hospital, currently in ICU.
• The Crime: Robbery and assault by "one-chance" taxi gangs.
• The Demand: Armed patrols at hospital bus stops and swift prosecution.
• The Warning: Nurses may be forced to withdraw services if safety is not guaranteed.

A Systemic Failure

"No healthcare worker should risk their life simply for serving humanity," Medan stated. The incident is a painful reminder of a similar unresolved case at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi. The recurring nature of these attacks suggests a systemic failure to protect essential workers who commute at odd hours.

The atmosphere in Abuja’s hospitals is grim. Many nurses, particularly women, are now terrified of the commute. The association’s ultimatum is clear: the government must act now to secure the routes, or face the collapse of morale in a healthcare system already stretched to its breaking point.