The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Abia State branch, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to security agencies and the governments of Abia and Imo States to secure the immediate release of its member, Dr. Bonaventure Aguocha.
The ultimatum is contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the NMA Chairman, Dr. Ezenwa Ezuruike, and Secretary, Dr. Clement Ifenkoronye, at the end of an emergency general meeting held in Umuahia and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
The association warned that failure to secure Aguocha’s release would trigger a total and indefinite strike in Abia State from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2.
The meeting was convened to address the continued captivity of the orthopaedic surgeon, who was abducted while returning to Umuahia from Imo State on May 24.
The NMA described Dr. Aguocha as a teacher, mentor, and former chairman of the Abia NMA, noting that he had rendered selfless service in both states.
It also described the incident as part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on medical practitioners, referencing the unresolved 2020 abduction of a former Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Uwadinachi Iweha.
“Doctors have increasingly become targets of assault, harassment, intimidation and abduction by criminal elements, despite their commitment to providing quality healthcare under challenging conditions of poor motivation and remuneration,” the communiqué stated.
The association called on the Department of State Services, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Commissioners of Police in Abia and Imo States to intensify efforts to secure Aguocha’s release.
It also urged the governors of both states to deploy all necessary resources and influence to ensure his prompt release.
The congress appealed to the Federal Government, state authorities, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and well-meaning Nigerians to assist in securing the doctor’s freedom.
The NMA warned that failure to act within the given timeframe would further erode healthcare workers’ confidence in government’s ability to guarantee their safety and could disrupt healthcare delivery across both states.