Abia doctors threaten indefinite strike after surgeon is abducted

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Abia Branch, has issued a 24‑hour ultimatum to the security agencies and governments of Abia and Imo, demanding the immediate release of its member, Dr Bonaventure Aguocha.

The ultimatum was released in a communique jointly signed by NMA Chairman Dr Ezenwa Ezuruike and Secretary Dr Clement Ifenkoronye at the end of an Emergency General Meeting. The communique was sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Monday.

The association warned that if Aguocha is not freed, it will launch a “total and indefinite strike” in the state beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2.

The meeting was convened to discuss the continued captivity of the renowned orthopaedic surgeon. Aguocha was abducted while returning to Umuahia from Imo on May 24.

The communique described Aguocha as a teacher, mentor and former Abia NMA Chairman who had rendered “self‑less services” in both states.

It called the incident “one too many” in a pattern of attacks on medical practitioners, citing the unresolved 2020 abduction of former Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Uwadinachi Iweha.

“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 communique urged the Department of State Services, the Inspector General of Police, and the Commissioners of Police in Abia and Imo to intensify efforts to secure Aguocha’s freedom.

It also called on the governors of the two sister states to deploy all necessary resources and influence for his prompt release.

The congress appealed to the Federal and State Governments, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and well‑meaning Nigerians to join efforts to secure the physician’s release.

It 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 adversely affect healthcare delivery in the two states.

(NAN)

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