By Abigail David
The Nigerian Medical Association has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to security agencies and the governments of Abia State and Imo State to secure the release of abducted orthopaedic surgeon, Bonaventure Aguocha.
The directive was contained in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the association in Umuahia and signed by the state chairman, Ezenwa Ezuruike, and secretary, Clement Ifenkoronye.
The association warned that failure to secure Aguocha’s freedom within the stipulated period would result in a total and indefinite strike across the state beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2.
According to the NMA, Aguocha, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon and former chairman of the association in Abia State, was abducted on May 24 while returning to Umuahia from Imo State.
The association described the incident as another troubling case in a series of attacks targeting medical professionals, recalling the unresolved abduction of former Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Uwadinachi Iweha, in 2020.
The NMA expressed concern over what it described as increasing cases of harassment, intimidation, assault and abduction of doctors despite their commitment to providing healthcare services under difficult conditions.
The association called on the Department of State Services, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Abia and Imo states to intensify efforts to secure the surgeon’s release.
It also urged the governors of both states to deploy all available resources and influence to ensure his safe return.
The doctors appealed to government authorities, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at rescuing the abducted surgeon.
The association warned that continued inaction could weaken healthcare workers’ confidence in the government’s ability to guarantee their safety and negatively affect healthcare delivery across the region.
The post Abia doctors threaten indefinite strike over kidnapped surgeon first appeared on Daybreak Nigeria.
