His Excellency,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,
Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Your Excellency,
With deep concern and a heavy heart, I humbly write to Your Excellency on behalf of many voiceless Nigerians whose lives are being cut short due to the refusal of some hospitals and medical personnel to administer first aid to victims of gunshot injuries without first obtaining a police report. This unfortunate practice continues to cost our nation precious lives every day.
Mr. President, it is painful to see a fellow Nigerian battling between life and death, only to be turned away at the hospital gate simply because they are victims of a gunshot wound. Many of these victims are not criminals, but innocent citizens caught in the wrong place at the wrong time—robbery victims, accidental shootings, security personnel, or even peaceful protesters. Yet, due to fear of legal consequences or misinterpretation of existing protocols, hospitals sometimes stand by helplessly while lives slip away.
It is worthy of note that the National Assembly passed the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, which mandates that hospitals provide immediate care to gunshot victims without waiting for a police report. However, several hospitals still do not comply with this law, either out of ignorance, lack of awareness, or fear of reprisal. This systemic failure is costing lives that could otherwise be saved with timely first aid and emergency response.
Your Excellency, the right to life is fundamental and sacred. No protocol or bureaucratic delay should stand in the way of saving a life. We appeal to your leadership and compassion to take urgent action to enforce this law across all medical institutions in Nigeria. We ask that the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, be directed to sensitize healthcare providers on this matter and guarantee legal protection for medical personnel who act in line with the law.
Furthermore, we urge Your Excellency to initiate a national emergency response guideline that places priority on life-saving intervention. Hospitals should not fear police harassment for doing their duty. If anything, those who fail to treat should face consequences for denying care.
Mr. President, your Renewed Hope Agenda is built on compassion, equity, and service to the people. We believe that by ensuring gunshot victims receive immediate treatment, you will be reinforcing the principle that every Nigerian life matters. Please let your administration be the one that finally puts an end to these avoidable deaths.
Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your service to our great nation.
Yours sincerely,
Abdulsalam Olasunkanmi
(AYIEKOTO)
OSHODI-ISOLO LG.
AKINBAYE WARD.
JULY 2ND 2025.
Cc: Senate President
Cc: Speaker HOR
Cc: Lagos State governor
Cc: Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly.
