The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has announced the suspension of medical services across the state following the abduction of two doctors. The suspension is set to begin on Saturday, according to the association.
The NMA said the action was necessary to protest the rising insecurity and repeated attacks on health workers in the state. Dr Eustace Oseghale, the NMA Chairman in Edo, stated in a Friday release that doctors could no longer guarantee their safety while performing their duties.
The kidnappings occurred on January 1 and 2, intensifying fear among medical practitioners and prompting urgent calls for improved security. One of the abducted doctors, identified as Dr Babatunde Abu, was reportedly kidnapped in Auchi, with his captors demanding a N100 million ransom.
Oseghale said the incidents highlighted the vulnerability of medical professionals in Edo and stressed that the association would not resume services until there was a clear commitment to the safety of its members and the release of the abducted doctors.
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“We will continue to withhold services until our colleagues are released and adequate security measures are implemented. We urge a swift resolution and expect security agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
The NMA also called on the Edo State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.