Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Anambra State branch has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo and security agencies to secure the freedom of their colleague, Dr Tochukwu Mbanugo, who was abducted on October 30.
NMA made the call in a communiqué signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Dr Princeston Okam and Dr Obiaeli Ifeanyi respectively, at the end of an emergency general meeting on Saturday.
It said Mbanugo, a consultant neurosurgeon with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, was kidnapped in front of his hospital at Uruagu, Nnewi, in the evening of October 30.
NMA said the kidnappers had not established communication with his family, relatives, friends or colleagues as at meeting time, urging government and security agencies to rise up to this challenge immediately.
“A 72- hour ultimatum is hereby given to the Anambra State government to secure the immediate release of our colleague.
“If at the expiration of the above time line our member’s release is not secured, all the doctors in Anambra State under the aegis of NMA, will down tools until he is released.
“An emergency meeting will be convened within the next 72 hours to review the progress made so far,” it said.
NMA said relevant government agencies have been duly informed and assured that doctors would continue to deliver quality healthcare services to Anambra people in spite of the prevailing challenges.
Efforts to get reaction from the police was unfruitful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, did not respond to calls and messages sent to him.
