Politics
NMA confirms release of two kidnapped doctors in cross river
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) confirmed the release of two kidnapped doctors in cross river NMA state chairman in Cross River, Felix Archibong, confirmed the release to newsmen in Calabar, the state capital on Tuesday.
He applauded the security authorities and Governor Ben Ayade for their efforts in ensuring the release of their members.
Joshua Omini, an employee of General Hospital in the Ugep village, in the state’s Yakurr Local Government Area, and Ekpo Egong, of General Hospital, Calabar, are the doctors who have been released.
The two doctors were released early that morning with two others, according to the NMA chairman, thanks to the state government’s efforts. If arrests were made in the course of restoring the doctors’ freedom, the state commissioner of police, Sule Balarabe, has not yet returned calls or texts.
The kidnapping of the doctors in the state’s Akampa Local Government Area had been reported to the NMA over the weekend.
They were taken a few days after nine people were abducted in the same axis, which caused fear among many people because it is the only land-based exit and entry point to the state capital.
Meanwhile, following the non-release of two medical personnel abducted over a week ago by gunmen, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State branch has embarked on an indefinite strike.
Chairman of NMA in Cross River, Dr Felix Archibong and secretary Dr Amaku Asuquo said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting held today.
The abductees include Dr Joshua Omini, a staff with the General Hospital in Ugep, Yakurr LGA, and Dr Ekpo Egong of the General Hospital, Calabar.
The incident happened on November 18, 2022, along the Okomita-Uyanga axis of the Calabar Ikom highway.
READ ALSO: UK accredits 91 Nigerian doctors in 15 days
The road has witnessed increasing numbers of kidnap as well as armed robbery attacks in the last two weeks. Nine motorists, including a white man, were kidnapped and taken into the Uyanga forests. However, security personnel rescued them soon after. Last Friday, seven others were similarly kidnapped.
The state governor had called on the federal government to supply him with Tucano aircraft and more soldiers to comb the nearby Uyanga forests.
In the NMA communique, they lamented the state of insecurity and called on the state government to help
They observed with dismay the lack of security personnel and patrols and or checkpoints on the said stretch of the road despite several kidnaps and armed robbery attacks
“Members observed the deplorable state of the road especially from Okomita to Uyanga, all in Akamkpa local government area. This deplorable state of the road causes vehicular movement around that area to proceed at minimal speed, hence providing an advantage to these criminal elements to perpetuate their evil intentions.
“NMA in Cross River has therefore embarked on an indefinite strike from Monday, Nov. 21 2022 in solidarity with her members still in the hands of their abductors.
The body called on the government to activate “all necessary instruments at its disposal to ensure the timely and unconditional release of our members in the hands of their abductors”.
They also urged the state government to “as a matter of urgency provides security checkpoints and patrol vehicles at the vulnerable areas of the road”.
The NMA communique also called on the state government to urgently effect repairs of the affected portion of the road that slows down vehicular movement and promotes easy attacks by hoodlums and abductors.
According to residents of the axis, the presence of military personnel and their equipment have been noticed.