The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara branch, has called for the release of its member, Zubair Erubu, abducted on Thursday night in his farmhouse.

“We appeal to the abductors of Dr Erubu to unconditionally release him uninjured to his family because doing this is the best thing to pay back a man who has devoted all his life, so far, to the service of humanity,” said NMA.

This is contained in a statement jointly issued on Monday in Ilorin by Baba Issa, the NMA chairman, and Tijani AbdulRasheed, the secretary.

According to them, Mr Erubu was abducted in his farmhouse in Ago-Oja in Asa local government area on December 9.

“Erubu practises medicine with diligence and most of his practices, particularly at his private Fadima Clinic. He is a humanitarian who renders medical services to the indigents at his farmhouse without receiving anything,” the NMA statement said. “Erubu is dedicated to helping the poor and the helpless people in the society. It is disheartening that somebody who has consecrated his life to helping others is the same that is now being hunted, abducted, and incarcerated by these bandits.”

The medical association appealed to the Kwara government and security agencies to ensure the safe release of Mr Erubu.

The NMA leaders also appealed to the security agencies to ensure the safety of other medical doctors and healthcare professionals working in the state and Nigeria in general.

“The unfavourable security environment has been one of the reasons for the exodus of health professionals out of Nigeria,” it noted. “The government needs to put adequate measures in place to protect those that have decided to stay in the country.”

(NAN)