Doctors in Edo North Senatorial district have protested the abduction of two of their colleagues and the subsequent killing of one by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.
Recall that the duo named Abu Ibrahim, a housemanship staff with the Edo University Teaching Hospital, Iyamho, located in Auchi and his younger brother, Abu Tahir, were abducted on January 1, 2026.
The two brothers were abducted at the gate of their residence along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, at about 7:30 pm at the close of work.
The kidnappers, after demanding N200 million ransom, however, killed Abu Tahir, a fresh medical doctor graduate from Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma.
The gunmen, despite the killing, still hold the deceased elder brother captive.
They are now demanding N100million ransom for his release.
The doctors in the Edo North senatorial district, under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, at a protest across the Auchi community and environs, demanded the immediate and Abu’s unconditional release.
Speaking, the NMA chairman in the zone, Dr Ifijeh Patrick, said the protest was to draw the attention of governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to the growing threat to their lives and professional duties.
Patrick, who called for the immediate and decisive action to curb kidnapping and violent crimes in the area, opined that the loss of a colleague has left many of them and others traumatised and uncertain about their safety.
While noting that doctors save lives every day, he added that their lives are constantly under threat and that they are no longer safe going to work or returning home.
He said, “We save lives every day, yet our own lives are constantly under threat. We are no longer safe going to work or returning home. This must stop.
“Our demands are simple. secure the release of the kidnapped doctor, stop the killings, and make Edo North safe for everyone,” he appealed.
The protesting doctors who were also at the Palace of the Otaru of Auchi, the Edo University Teaching Hospital, Auchi, Edo University, Iyamho and the Police Area Command, Auchi, expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the area.
The NMA chairman appealed to the authorities’ concerns to use their influence to support efforts aimed at restoring peace and security in the area.
He warned that if their demands were not met, doctors across the state would embark on a total shutdown of medical services after 72 hours.
He said the warning was a move as a last resort to compel governments to take action.
