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Medical doctors in Lagos, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), have raised serious concerns over what they describe as persistent harassment, intimidation, and unlawful arrests by police officers and other agencies. The doctors made their position known during a joint press briefing, where they demanded an immediate end to the trend, warning that it is becoming widespread and dangerous. 
According to the medical bodies, doctors are increasingly being arrested, detained, and sometimes extorted following complaints from patients’ relatives—especially in cases involving death or complications. They cited multiple incidents where healthcare workers were allegedly detained or forced to pay large sums before being released, even when they had acted professionally. The groups stressed that such actions are creating a climate of fear among practitioners. 
The doctors warned that this situation is already affecting how medical professionals respond to emergencies. They explained that fear of arrest or harassment could lead to hesitation in treating critical patients, a practice often described as “defensive medicine.” This, they cautioned, may result in more preventable deaths and reduced quality of care across hospitals in the state. 
They further insisted that cases of alleged medical negligence should be handled through proper regulatory channels, particularly the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, rather than through police intervention. The associations called for structured collaboration between law enforcement and the medical community, emphasizing that continued intimidation of doctors could trigger a wider healthcare crisis if not urgently addressed. 
