Doctors down tools in Cross River over worsening insecurity
From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River chapter, on Monday, embarked on an indefinite strike.
This follows the worsening insecurity in the state which resulted in the kidnapping of two doctors over the weekend.
The kidnapped doctors are among the seven health workers who were abducted on November 18, 2022.
The kidnap medical practitioners are Dr Joshua Omini, a staff with the General Hospital in Ugep community in Yakurr Local Government Area of the state and Dr Ekpo Egong of the General Hospital, Calabar.
NMA announced the strike in a communique jointly signed by its state Chairman, Dr Felix Archibong and the Secretary, Dr Amaku Asuquo, after an emergency meeting of the association held in Calabar.
The communique stated that the medical doctors were kidnapped along the Ekomita-Uyanga axis of the Calabar Ikom highway.
The association said that its members observed with dismay the lack of security personnel on patrols/checkpoints on the said stretch of the road despite a previously reported case of kidnap on November 15, 2022.
“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 intensions.
“NMA in Cross River has embarked on an indefinite strike from Monday Nov. 21 2022 in solidarity with her members still in the hands of their abductors.
“The government should activate all necessary instruments at its disposal to ensure
the timely and unconditional release of our members in the hands of their abductors.
“The state government should as a matter of urgency provide security checkpoints and
patrol vehicles at the vulnerable areas of the road”.
NMA also called on the state government to urgently effect repairs of the affected portions of the road that slows down vehicular movement and promote easy attacks by hoodlums and
abductors.
The association urged Gov. Ben Ayade to activate all necessary mechanism to ensure that the menace of kidnapping is nipped in the bud before the yuletide seasons commences.
“NMA in Cross River is not oblivious of the hardship its strike action will have on the good people of Cross River, however, we appeal to all the relevant security agencies to ensure a
timely release of our abducted colleagues,” the association said.
The NMA in the state have a standing policy of suspending it’s services whenever any of its member is kidnapped.
The state police command has yet to formally react to the recent kidnap.
Few days ago, nine passengers who were travelling from Calabar to Ogoja were abducted but 8 them regained freedom after twenty four hours.
