Calabar Psychiatric Hospital Acting MD Nears Retirement, Deploys Police, Army To Intimidate Protesting Staff

By Jonathan Ugbal

The Acting Medical Director, MD of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, FNPH Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Dr. Theophilus Osim Onyuku has called in troops of the Nigerian Army and men of the Nigeria Police Force to intimidate staff planning to protest against his decision to remain in office.

Two videos obtained by CrossRiverWatch show armed soldiers moving around the compound, while policemen from the Anti Kidnapping Squad of the Cross River State Police command are stationed opposite the main gate.

CrossRiverWatch gathered that Dr. Osim, due to retire tomorrow, Friday, when he clocks 60 years of age, had threatened staff whom he described as “infidels” that he will deploy the Army and Police if anyone tried to engage in a protest against him during a meeting on Wednesday. 

The meeting which held at the conference hall of the tertiary medical facility was said to have come to an abrupt end after he directed the Director Admin to give a closing remark without inputs from staff, especially members of the Senior Staff Association of University Teach Hospital, Research and Allied Institutions, SSAUTHRIAI whom he suspected of spearheading the planned protest.

Meanwhile, the SSAUTHRIAI FNPH branch has written him an open letter dated 18th June demanding the “immediate withdrawal of the security personnel brought into the hospital premises to intimidate staff.”

The union averred that the presence of the men in uniform is a “direct threat to the welfare and security of employees and will certainly escalate tensions rather than resolve issues.”

The union, which described his conduct at the meeting as “unprofessional,” and a “direct affront on the dignity of our union and, by extension, all members of staff of the hospital,” said he is aware of the underlying causes of the agitation by members of staff.

“On your honor, we implore you to take the necessary steps to address these concerns, ensuring that peace and tranquility prevail in the hospital. A constructive approach would go a long way in resolving the issues at hand,” read the open letter signed by the leadership of SSAUTHRIAI FNPH branch.