Grief and anger swept through the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) over the weekend as staff held a solemn commendation service in honour of Dr. Alex Ogunniyi, a physiotherapist who was tragically killed by a stray bullet within the hospital premises last Friday.
Ogunniyi was fatally shot while heading to a nearby eatery for lunch when gunmen in a vehicle opened fire during a high-speed chase behind the hospital. A bullet struck him in the neck, and though he was rushed to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department, efforts to save his life were unsuccessful.
The shocking incident has left UBTH staff and medical professionals reeling. In a show of solidarity, they staged a protest to express their sorrow and demand improved security across the hospital environment.
Speaking during the commendation service, the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Joshua Uwaila, described the incident as deeply unfortunate. “We lost one of our own in the most painful way. Dr. Ogunniyi was a dedicated physiotherapist and a valued member of our community,” he said.
Uwaila also confirmed that the hospital management had formally notified the Edo State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS), urging both agencies to launch a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for Ogunniyi’s death are brought to justice.
“We have written to the Edo Police Command and copied the DSS, calling for a full investigation and the need to bring the killers to book,” he stated.
The security lapse that led to Ogunniyi’s death has raised serious concerns about the safety of medical personnel in public institutions. Staff members called for urgent security upgrades and increased surveillance to prevent similar tragedies.
Following the service, Ogunniyi’s body was conveyed by grieving family members, friends, and colleagues to his hometown for burial. His untimely death leaves a void in the UBTH community and has ignited fresh calls for better protection for frontline health workers across the country.
