NMA Gives Security Agencies Ultimatum Over Kogi Doctor’s Kidnap

Kogi State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has given security agencies 72 hours to rescue one of its members, Dr. Austin Uwumagbe, who was kidnapped on Tuesday.

Dr. Uwumagbe was reportedly kidnapped shortly after leaving his hospital, Victory Hospital-Annex at Ogaminana, Adavi local government area on at about 8:30pm Tuesday when  gunmen arrived the hospital with sporadic gunshots.

Chairman of the association, Dr. Baoku Olusola while speaking at a press conference in Lokoja yesterday, said the association at the end of its emergency meeting resolved to embark on an indefinite strike on Monday if security agencies fail to rescue him.

The NMA chairman stated that the gunmen forced the doctor into his car at his hospital opposite FCE Okene after attending to a labour case.

He said the incident had thrown the entire body of doctors in the state, the family and staff into confusion and urged Governor Yahaya Bello, President Ahmed Tinubu, Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun and other heads of security agencies to put the machinery in motion for the unconditional release of the doctor.

“Many of our colleagues have traveled out of the country for safety and greener pasture and those of us that decided to remain, the communities we have decided to take care of are now seeing us as threats. One of us has been kidnapped despite our quality health care delivery service to the state.

“Our colleague is suffering in the hands of his captors. We are yet to hear anything from security agencies. The family is currently in sorrow and depression and the entire doctors across the 21 local government areas of the state are living in fear because we don’t know who is next,” he said.

Dr. Baoku said all doctors in public and private health facilities would embark on an indefinite strike pending the release of Dr. Uwumagbe.

He urged members of the community where the incident occurred to assist security agencies with credible information that would help track the perpetrators.