Gunmen kidnap WHO doctor Mahamadou Diawara in Mali
Mahamadou Diawara, a World Health Organisation (WHO) medical official leading efforts to provide health care to remote communities facing insecurity risks and violence, has been abducted by armed men in conflict-torn Mali.
On Monday, Mr Diawara was taken from his car in the town of Menaka, located in an eastern region where militant groups linked to Al Qaeda and Daesh are active. His driver, now receiving medical care, was also brutalised but was left at the scene.
While the motive of the abduction is unknown, the WHO condemned his abduction and called for his immediate release.
“World Health Organisation (WHO) deplores the abduction of Dr Mahamadou Diawara, who was taken by unidentified assailants from his car on 23 January 2023 in the town of Menaka in northern Mali,” the WHO said in a statement.
The global health organisation added, “Dr Diawara, deployed by WHO in Menaka since the beginning of 2020, has been leading efforts to provide medical care to communities that are often remote and face insecurity risks and violence. The driver of his car was also attacked, but the assailants left him behind, and he is recovering from the incident.”
Meanwhile, WHO has extended “our sympathies to the family of Dr Diawara and is working with local authorities to investigate the abduction and ensure our colleague’s quick return to his family.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 1
Appeal Court fails to hear EFCC suit against order restraining Yahaya Bello’s arrest
In a ruling on April 17, the Kogi court restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting Mr Bello.
States
Boko Haram bomb ‘experts’ surrendered in Borno: MNJTF
Two IEDs, two phones and N53,000 cash were recovered from them.
Rights
Awaiting trial inmates increased by 70% in Kano: Correctional Service
The Kano command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says 70 per cent of inmates are awaiting trial across the custodial centres.
Rights
My ill-tempered lover grabs my private parts during arguments, ex-serviceman tells court
He said, ”My lord, for you to know how terrible Victoria had been, I stopped performing my duties as a husband (for) 22 years…”
States
Only 5% of commercial drivers in Cross River are trained, transport commissioner says
The transport commissioner, Ekpenyong Cobham, says only about five per cent of the commercial drivers in Cross River are trained and certified.
Agriculture
World Earth Day: Environmental group canvasses end to plastics’ scourge
The organisation said World Earth Day was to remind people across the world of the need to protect and preserve the earth.