The Nigerian Medical Association in Abia has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to security agencies and the governments of Abia and Imo to ensure the immediate release of its member, Bonaventure Aguocha.

The ultimatum was issued in a communique jointly signed by the NMA chairman, Ezenwa Ezuruike, and the secretary, Clement Ifenkoronye, at the end of its emergency general meeting in Umuahia on Monday.

The association warned that failure to secure Mr Aguocha’s release would result in a “total and indefinite strike” in the state starting at 8:00 a.m, Tuesday.

The meeting, convened to deliberate on the continued captivity of the renowned orthopaedic surgeon, noted that Aguocha was abducted while returning to Umuahia from Imo on May 24.

It described Mr Aguocha as a teacher, mentor, and former Abia NMA chairman who had rendered “selfless services” in both states.

The NMA noted that the kidnapping was “one too many” in a pattern of attacks on medical practitioners, citing the unresolved 2020 abduction of a former chief medical director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Uwadinachi Iweha.

“Doctors have increasingly become targets of assaults, harassment, intimidation and abduction by criminal elements, in spite of their commitment to providing quality healthcare under challenging conditions of poor motivation and remuneration,” the communiqué stated.

It called on the State Security Service, inspector general of police, and the police commissioners in Abia and Imo to intensify efforts to secure Mr Aguocha’s freedom. It urged the governors of the two states to deploy all necessary resources and influence for his prompt release.

The doctors appealed to the federal and state governments, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and well-meaning Nigerians to join efforts to secure the physician’s release.

It warned that failure to act within the stipulated timeframe would further erode healthcare workers’ confidence in the government’s ability to guarantee their safety and could adversely affect healthcare delivery in the two states.

(NAN)