The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Abia State chapter, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to security agencies and the governments of Abia and Imo states to secure the immediate release of its member, Dr. Bonaventure Aguocha.
The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the NMA Chairman, Dr. Ezenwa Ezuruike, and Secretary, Dr. Clement Ifenkoronye, at the end of an emergency general meeting held in Umuahia. The communiqué was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
The association warned that failure to secure Dr. Aguocha’s release would result in a total and indefinite strike by doctors across Abia State beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2.
The emergency meeting was convened to address the continued captivity of the orthopaedic surgeon, who was abducted on May 24 while returning to Umuahia from Imo State.
The NMA described Dr. Aguocha as a teacher, mentor, and former chairman of the association in Abia State, noting that he had rendered selfless service to the people of both Abia and Imo states.
The association said the incident reflects a disturbing trend of attacks on medical practitioners, citing the unresolved abduction of a former Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Uwadinachi Iweha, in 2020.
“Doctors have increasingly become targets of assault, harassment, intimidation and abduction by criminal elements, despite their commitment to providing quality healthcare under challenging conditions, including poor motivation and remuneration,” the communiqué stated.
The NMA called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, and the Commissioners of Police in Abia and Imo states to intensify efforts to secure Dr. Aguocha’s immediate release.
It also urged the governors of both states to deploy all available resources and influence to ensure the doctor’s safe and prompt return.
The congress further appealed to the Federal Government, state authorities, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts aimed at securing his freedom.
The association warned that failure to act within the stipulated timeframe would further erode healthcare workers’ confidence in the government’s ability to guarantee their safety and could disrupt healthcare services across the affected states.
