Mary Nnah
The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has condemned in strong terms the brutal murder of Dr. Andrew Orovwigho, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu (FNHE).
According to a press release signed by the Secretary General, Association of Psychiatrists, Prof. Kingsley Mayowa Okonoda, Dr. Orovwigho was kidnapped from his residence on December 30, 2025, and found dumped with gunshot wounds on December 31, 2025. He died on January 2, 2026, while receiving treatment.
The APN President, Dr. Veronica Oluyemisi Nyamali, expressed the association’s outrage and sadness, saying, “Dr. Orovwigho was a brilliant and passionate psychiatrist, deeply committed to patient care, teaching, mentorship, and professional excellence. His loss is a colossal blow to the mental health community in Nigeria. He was an asset to our profession, a vibrant and jovial colleague, full of promise and lofty dreams for his family and for Psychiatry in Nigeria.”
Dr. Orovwigho was visiting a family friend on the night of the incident when he received a call to attend to a patient at the friend’s residence. He was shot in the left knee, inflicted with more injuries, and taken away in his own vehicle. He was later dumped inside a sand evacuation site far from Enugu town.
The APN has demanded that the Enugu State authorities ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice, provide adequate compensation to the bereaved family, and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture to safeguard healthcare professionals.
“We will not rest until justice is secured for our brutally murdered colleague and appropriate compensation provided to his family,” Dr. Nyamali warned.
The APN commended the Enugu State Government for convening a security meeting and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for their prompt mobilization. The association also appreciated the Management of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, for their efforts in seeking clarity and justice in the matter.
The APN stated that with barely 150 Psychiatrists serving a population of over 200 million Nigerians, the mental health workforce is critically understaffed, and Dr. Orovwigho’s murder is a stark reminder of the insecurity faced by healthcare workers in the country.
The association warned that failure to meet their demands would compel them to take all legitimate and lawful actions necessary to protect its members and defend the sanctity of psychiatric practice in Nigeria.
