NOA and Red Cross Launch Campaign for Gunshot Victims

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Red Cross have initiated a nationwide sensitization campaign for the compulsory treatment of gunshot victims in Nigeria. The campaign was launched at the NOA headquarters in Abuja, with Lanr Issa Onilu, the Director General of NOA, and Ayoola Olufemi, the Director of Social Mobilization, representing the agency.

They highlighted the importance of educating the public about the 2017 Gunshot Victim Act, which mandates immediate medical treatment for gunshot victims to prevent loss of life. Olufemi noted that many Nigerians are unaware that hospitals are required by law to provide immediate care and that a police report is necessary for administrative documentation and financial guarantees.

James Matthew, Deputy Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nigeria, praised the partnership and stressed the urgency of educating citizens about healthcare provisions under the law. The campaign aims to raise nationwide awareness and ensure timely medical care for gunshot victims, ultimately saving lives across Nigeria.