Home / Health / Gunmen kidnap medical Doctor in A/Ibom; NMA threatens withdrawal of medical services after 48 hours 
Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State

Gunmen kidnap medical Doctor in A/Ibom; NMA threatens withdrawal of medical services after 48 hours 

Dennis Udoma, Uyo

There is no more peace in Akwa Ibom as gunmen abducted a medical Doctor, Dr. Felix Ekpo, attached to a cottage hospital at Ikot Ekpaw in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the State.

Though, no group has taken responsibility for the kidnap, our reporter gathered that, the doctor was taken away in the early hours of Tuesday February 22, 2022 while entering his office to resume duty for the day.

A youth leader from the village, Mr. Kufre John, while reacting to the incident on the telephone said, ”after the situation had calm down, they discovered the hoodlums who came into the hospital had already laid ambush, waiting for their target as he was coming to work.

He said, “the kidnappers did not fire any gunshots but, blocked the entrance into the medical facility to prevent people coming into it, while they had a smooth operation.

Meanwhile, he said, Ikot Ekpaw Village Council has since reported the matter to the police at Mkpat Enin Division, which confirmed the incident.

”We have received the report of the kidnap of a medical Doctor. We have invited the family and have swung into action,” the police said.

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, which broke the news in a statement signed by its Secretary, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John has called on its members to remain calm and alert in their respective duty posts, adding that NMA leadership is already communicating with the relevant security agencies in the state on the matter.

Dr John, also appealed to the state government to deploy her security machinery and ensure prompt and unconditional release of the abducted doctor. the NMA has however, threatened that it would be forced to suspend its services throughout the state if Dr. Ekpo is not released within 48hrs.

According to the NMA statement, ”it is with deep anguish that we inform you of the sad kidnap of our dear colleague and hippocratic brother, Dr. Felix Ekpo.

“Reports from multiple sources indicate that the kidnappers stormed the Hospital premises this morning, abducted and bolted away with our colleague and his car.

“As an Association we are at a loss why indeed any doctor and especially this particular young doctor would be the target for kidnappers considering that his only possession of worth is his medical knowledge and skills, his unflinching passion to avail healing to the  sick and his dedication and love for Nigeria and his immediate environment of Akwa Ibom State, which has made him stay back to medically serve our country inspite of the lure of greener pastures made available by the UK,  USA, Saudi Arabia , UAE, Oman, Kuwait etc.

“In view of this unfortunate circumstance, we therefore call on all members of the NMA to remain calm and alert in their various places of work as the leadership of NMA Akwa Ibom state has been in constant communication with relevant security agencies.

“Furthermore, we call on the Government to make haste to uphold the Constitution especially Chapter 2 section 14 which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of Government.

“To this end, we humbly request the Government to deploy all of its rich security machinery towards the urgent and critical task of rescuing Dr Ekpo, who is not only a citizen but also an employee of Government, kidnapped in the line of duty, right at his place of duty, as assigned to him by Government.

“As it stands, the Akwa Ibom Medical Community is in a state of shock and palpable fear. In the next 48hrs, it is our hope that Dr Ekpo does return to us, failing which we may be forced to suspend medical services in the entire state so as to enable us go in search of our dear colleague, Dr Felix Ekpo”.

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