In a case that has further underscored the danger of quackery in medical practice in Nigeria, the Lagos State branch of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, has categorically declared that the suspect arrested for injecting Mohbad before his death was not a professional nurse.
Recall that Mobad, born Ilerioluwa Aloba, had died suddenly on September 12, 2023, after he was injected by an ‘auxiliary nurse’.
Mohbad’s father, Mr. Joseph Aloba, had the agonising task of announcing his beloved son’s passing on September 14, saying his boy succumbed to the cold fangs of death after receiving the injection.
Popular Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, would throw more light to the tragedy when she announced that the “auxiliary nurse” had been arrested by the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
However, Oloruntoba Odumosu, NANNM state secretary, delivered the rebuttal on the professional status of the said “nurse” via a press statement on Friday, saying the suspect arrested for injecting Mohbad to his unfortunate death was “not a registered nurse.”
Pointedly, the association denounced the suspect, who it said was “not licensed to practice nursing in Nigeria”. It then urged the relevant agency of the Nigeria Police Force to carry out a diligent investigation into the bizarre death of the artiste which has provoked nationwide anger; as well as a great outpouring of grief for MohBad and his grieving family.
The statement reads in part: “The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Lagos State Council, expresses its deepest condolences to the family and associates of the late musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as we mourn his tragic passing,” the statement reads.
“However, we must stress the importance of professionalism in reporting and conducting this investigation. NANNM is closely monitoring the situation with keen interest.
“Our preliminary investigations indicate that the individual reportedly taken into custody by the police for providing care to Mohbad is not a registered Nurse.
“We emphasise the critical need to verify the qualifications and professional status of individuals before labelling them as healthcare professionals.
“We wish to clarify that the term ‘Auxiliary Nurse’ has no place within Nigeria’s healthcare system or its laws. An individual is either a qualified Nurse or an unqualified individual performing tasks beyond their competence.”
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives also urged the media to verify the qualifications and professional status of individuals before labelling them as healthcare professionals.
“Furthermore, we call on the investigating authorities and the media to exercise caution and accuracy in their reporting during this investigation,” it added.
“We will not tolerate any misrepresentation of Nurses and the Nursing profession. We demand that all media outlets that inaccurately reported the arrest of a Nurse take immediate corrective action to rectify their stories.”