The Kogi State vhapter of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has given security agencies 72 hours ultimatum to rescue one of its members, Dr. Austin Uwumagbe, kidnapped on Tuesday.
Dr. Uwumagbe was reportedly kidnapped shortly after leaving his hospital, Victory Hospital-Annex at Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area on Tuesday night at about half past eight after unknown gunmen arrived the hospital with sporadic gunshot and drove him away by whisker.
Chairman of the Association, Dr. Baoku Olusola while speaking during during a news conference in Lokoja on Friday, said the Union at the end of its emergency meeting resolved to embark on indefinite strike on Monday next should security agencies fail to rescue Dr. Uwumagbe.
Dr Olusola condemned in strong terms the kidnapping of the Medical personnel, who according to him was abducted shortly after attending to a delivery case.
The NMA Chairman stated that the Yet to be identified gunmen forced the Doctor into his car at his Hospital is located opposite the FCE Okene after attending to a labour case at past 8pm.
He noted that the situation has thrown the entire body of doctors in the State in turmoil and worry as well as the Family and Staff of the Doctor, calling on Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, President Ahmed Tinubu, acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun and other heads of security agencies to put machinery in place for the unconditional release of the Doctor.
“Many of our colleagues have traveled out of the country for safety and greener pastures and those of us that decided to remain, the Community we have decided to take care of are now seeing is as threats. One of us has been kidnapped despite our quality health care delivery service to the State.
Dr. Baoku further said “Our colleague and 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.
Dr. Baoku said all Doctors in public and private health facilities will embark on an indefinite strike, pending the release of Dr. Uwumagbe.
He urged the immediate community where the incident occured to assist security agencies with credible information that will help track the perpetrators of the crime.
