Kidnapping: Incensed NMA Gives  Anambra  72 hours to Secure Release Of Member

By Adesina Soyooye

The Anambra Government has been given a 72- hour ultimatum by the State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, to rescue its abducted member or face serious consequences.

Incensed by the brazen abduction of Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon on Thursday, 30 October, the NMA has urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Security Agencies to secure his release immediately.

The call was made by the  NMA on Saturday in a communiqué at the end of an Emergency General Meeting held on Saturday.

Dr Mbanugo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon with the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, dislosed the NMA, was abducted in front of his hospital at Uruagu, Nnewi in the evening of October 30.

Till date, the NMA  revealed, the hoodlums are yet to establish any form of  communications with Mbanugo’s family, relatives, friends or colleagues.

Therefore, the NMA said,

“A 72- hour ultimatum is hereby given to the Anambra State Government to secure the immediate release of our colleague Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo.

“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, Anambra, will down tools until our member is released.”

In addition, the NMA stated that all relevant Government Agencies have been informed of the abduction of their colleague and the resolve of its members to stop work after 72 hours.