Kidnap: Doctors begin strike in C/River

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River chapter, on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike over the kidnap of its members on Nov. 18.

The kidnapped medical practitioners were Dr Joshua Omini, a staff of General Hospital in Ugep community, Yakurr local government area of Cross River and Dr Ekpo Egong of General Hospital, Calabar.

The NMA announced the strike in a communiqué jointly signed by its state chairman, Dr. Felix Archibong, and the secretary, Dr. Amaku Asuquo, after an emergency meeting in Calabar on Monday.

The communiqué stated that the medical doctors were kidnapped on the Ekomita-Uyanga axis of the Calabar-Ikom highway.

The association said that its members observed with dismay the lack of security personnel, patrols, or checkpoints on the said stretch of road in spite of a previous reported case of kidnapping on Nov. 15.

"Members observed the deplorable state of the road, especially from Okomita to Uyanga, all in the Akamkpa local government area.

"This deplorable state of the road causes vehicular movement around that area to proceed at minimal speed, hence providing an advantage to these criminal elements to perpetuate their evil intentions."

"The NMA in Cross River has embarked on an indefinite strike from Monday, November 21, 2022, in solidarity with its members still in the hands of their abductors.

"The government should activate all necessary instruments at its disposal to ensure the timely and unconditional release of our members into the hands of their abductors."

"The state government should, as a matter of urgency, provide security checkpoints and patrol vehicles at vulnerable areas of the road," the body said.

NMA also called on the state government to urgently effect repairs of the affected portion of the road that slows down vehicular movement and promotes easy attacks by hoodlums and abductors.

The association urged Gov. Ben Ayade of the state to activate all necessary mechanisms to ensure that the menace of kidnapping was nipped in the bud before the Yuletide season.

"The NMA in Cross River is not oblivious to the hardship its strike will have on the good people of Cross River.

"However, we appeal to all the relevant security agencies to ensure a timely release of our abducted colleagues," the association said.