A Tragic Loss for the Mental Health Community in Nigeria
The murder of Dr. Andrew Orovwigho, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu, has sent shockwaves through the medical community in Nigeria. The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has condemned the incident, calling for justice and compensation for the victim’s family. This tragic event highlights the growing concerns about the safety of healthcare professionals in the country.
Dr. Orovwigho was kidnapped from his residence on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. He was shot and left in a sand evacuation site, where he was found the next day, December 31, 2025. He eventually succumbed to his injuries on January 2, 2026, while receiving medical attention. His death has deeply affected the mental health community, with many mourning the loss of a dedicated professional.
In a statement signed by APN President, Dr. Veronica Nyamali, and Secretary-General, Prof Kingsley Okonoda, the association described the incident as a direct assault on the medical profession and the Nigerian healthcare system. According to the statement, Dr. Orovwigho had gone to visit a family friend in Enugu when he received a call requesting that he return home to attend to what appeared to be a private patient.
Upon arriving at his residence, he was accosted by three armed men in a tricycle. He was shot in the left knee and forcibly taken away in his own vehicle. The attackers allegedly contacted a member of the household he had visited earlier, claiming they had been paid to kill him. The statement noted that Dr. Orovwigho, known for his commitment to patient care, excused himself, promising to return shortly.
The attackers inflicted more injuries on him and left him in his own pool of blood. He was then taken away in his own vehicle and dumped inside a sand evacuation site far from Enugu town to die. Reports indicate that he sustained further gunshot wounds and injuries to his shoulder, forearm, and right lower limb from his attackers.
A sand loader discovered him in the early hours of the morning and alerted nearby security personnel. He was rushed to a hospital where he was conscious and able to speak. He received emergency treatment and was resuscitated on December 31, 2025, but died on January 2, 2026, while medical attention was being given to him.
A Significant Loss for the Profession
Describing Dr. Orovwigho as a brilliant and passionate psychiatrist, the association highlighted his dedication to patient care, teaching, mentorship, and professional excellence. His loss is not only personal but also professional, marking a colossal blow to the mental health community in Nigeria.
The statement noted that Dr. Orovwigho had the opportunity to relocate abroad like many others but chose to remain in Nigeria due to his love for his community and belief in the country. He was an asset to the profession, a vibrant and jovial colleague, full of promise and lofty dreams for his family and for psychiatry in Nigeria. Those dreams were tragically extinguished.
The APN also pointed out that there are barely 150 psychiatrists serving a population of over 200 million Nigerians, highlighting the critically understaffed mental health workforce in the country. The recurring pattern of violence against healthcare workers across the country is alarming and unacceptable. The association stressed that physical aggression against doctors and health workers is unlawful and dangerous.
This reprehensible act is not only a violation of natural justice but also a direct assault on the medical profession and the Nigerian healthcare system. Psychiatrists in Nigeria cannot and will not tolerate the murder of our members.
Calls for Justice and Action
The APN called on all relevant authorities in Enugu State to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice without delay. It demanded adequate compensation and support for the bereaved family, as well as immediate and comprehensive strengthening of Nigeria’s security architecture to safeguard healthcare professionals and citizens alike.
The association warned that failure to meet these demands will compel it to take all legitimate and lawful actions necessary to protect its members and defend the sanctity of psychiatric practice in Nigeria.
The APN appreciated the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, for swiftly convening a security meeting on the matter, particularly the Enugu State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association for their prompt mobilization, investigation, and engagement of the Department of State Services and the State Police Command. The association also commended the management of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, for their efforts in seeking clarity and justice in the matter.
Rising Concerns Over Violence Against Healthcare Workers
PUNCH Healthwise reports that data obtained from a group of international non-governmental organizations working to protect health workers, Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, revealed that 109 workers were kidnapped and 17 killed between 2019 and 2023. Several health workers, including nurses and doctors, have also been killed between 2025 and the first few months of 2026, rekindling calls by medical associations and Nigerians for justice and urgent action to curb insecurity.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to protect healthcare professionals and ensure their safety. The APN remains committed to advocating for justice and the protection of its members, emphasizing that such acts of violence will not go unanswered.
