The Nigerian Medical Association, Abia State branch, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to security agencies as well as the governments of Abia State and Imo State, demanding the immediate release of a prominent medical practitioner, Dr Bonaventure Aguocha, who was abducted by gunmen.
The association warned that failure to secure the doctor’s freedom within the stipulated time would result in a total and indefinite strike by medical doctors across the state beginning from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2.
The decision was reached during an Emergency General Meeting of the association held in Umuahia on Monday.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and jointly signed by the state Chairman of the association, Dr Ezenwa Ezuruike, and the Secretary, Dr Clement Ifenkoronye, expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation affecting healthcare workers in the region.
According to the association, Dr Aguocha, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon, was abducted on May 24 while returning to Umuahia from Imo State.
The doctors described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable, especially considering the victim’s longstanding contributions to the medical profession and healthcare delivery in both Abia and Imo states.
The communiqué portrayed Aguocha as a respected teacher, mentor and former chairman of the Abia branch of the NMA who had dedicated years of selfless service to the development of healthcare and the training of younger medical professionals.
Members of the association noted that his continued captivity had created fear and anxiety among doctors and other healthcare workers who daily risk their lives to provide medical services under difficult conditions.
The NMA said the abduction was part of a growing pattern of attacks targeting medical practitioners across the country, particularly in the South-East region.
The association lamented that despite the critical role doctors play in saving lives and sustaining the healthcare system, they have increasingly become victims of kidnapping, intimidation, harassment and violent attacks.
It further recalled the unresolved abduction of a former Chief Medical Director of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Uwadinachi Iweha, in 2020, saying the recurrence of such incidents demonstrates the urgent need for stronger security measures.
“Doctors have increasingly become targets of assaults, harassment, intimidation and abduction by criminal elements, in spite of their commitment to providing quality healthcare under challenging conditions of poor motivation and remuneration,” the communiqué stated.
The association stressed that the worsening insecurity was already affecting the morale of healthcare professionals and threatening the delivery of medical services to citizens.
According to the doctors, many practitioners now operate in fear, especially those who travel long distances or work in remote areas where security presence is limited.
The NMA warned that if urgent action is not taken to rescue Dr Aguocha and improve the safety of healthcare workers, more doctors may begin to leave the profession or relocate from unsafe areas, thereby worsening the shortage of medical personnel in the country.
The association therefore called on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted surgeon.
It also appealed to both the Abia and Imo state governments to demonstrate greater commitment to protecting healthcare workers and tackling insecurity across the region.
Stakeholders at the meeting reportedly expressed frustration over what they described as the repeated failure of authorities to effectively address the growing wave of kidnappings and violent crimes targeting professionals.
Some doctors warned that continuous attacks on healthcare workers could cripple medical services if urgent measures are not taken to restore confidence and ensure adequate protection.
Observers say the threat of an indefinite strike could significantly disrupt healthcare delivery in Abia State if the demands of the association are not met promptly.
Patients in public and private hospitals across the state may face difficulties accessing medical care should doctors withdraw their services as threatened.
The development has also renewed public concern over the broader security challenges confronting the country, particularly the increasing cases of kidnappings for ransom involving professionals, business owners and ordinary citizens.
Residents and civil society groups have continued to urge governments at all levels to strengthen security architecture, improve intelligence gathering and ensure swift responses to incidents of abduction and violent crime.
As tension mounts over the fate of Dr Aguocha, many Nigerians are hoping for his safe return and a peaceful resolution that would prevent disruption in the already strained healthcare sector in Abia State.
