Dr Uyi Iluobe, a medical professional, was shot and killed in a Delta state hospital.
At his privately run medical facility (Olive clinic) in Oghara-Eki, Iluobe was brutally killed.
He was allegedly murdered by enraged family members of a hospital patient who passed away after being shot.
On December 31, 2022, the tragedy took place while everyone was engaged in year-end preparations.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) demanded that the National Assembly make violence against healthcare professionals in the nation a crime in response to the occurrence.
In a statement on Monday by its President, Dr Uche Ojinmah, the NMA said, “The Nigerian Medical Association received with shock and sadness the news of the murder on December 31, 2022, of Dr Iluobe by the relatives of his patient at Oghara, where his practice was based.
“The above scenario is the relatives' response to the loss of a patient from suspected gunshot injuries can never be justified and has taken violence against doctors and other healthcare workers from injuries to murder.
“It is unbelievable that in the face of a debilitating medical brain drain, the few doctors that patriotically decided to stay back and take care of our fellow citizens are being murdered by the same Nigerians.
“While we sympathize with the family of the patient that was lost, we strongly condemn this murder and call on the Government of Delta State, and the Inspector-General of Police to, as a matter of urgency, bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book so as to assuage the pain we feel. A man should not be murdered for the selfless act of being on duty on New Year’s Eve.”
While confirming the incident, Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer in Delta, clarified that the crime was committed by cultists and not the patient’s relatives.
Edafe said the doctor was shot dead inside his hospital.