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Doctors protest against colleague’s abduction, shut down activities in Cross River State

By Tina Todo, Calabar
11 January 2018   |   2:31 am
Medical Doctors in Cross River State yesterday protested on the streets of Calabar demanding the immediate release of another female doctor, Mrs. Emem Moses Udoh, who was kidnapped on Monday. The protesting doctors stormed Government House, Calabar, disrupting government’s and other activities over their colleague’s abduction. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Chairman, Nigerian Medical…

Members of the Nigeria Medical Association in a peaceful protest over alleged incessant kidnapping of their members, in Calabar on Wednesday (11/1/18). They are demanding for the release of Dr Emem Udoh.<br />00174/10/1/18/George Odok /JAU/BJO/NAN

Medical Doctors in Cross River State yesterday protested on the streets of Calabar demanding the immediate release of another female doctor, Mrs. Emem Moses Udoh, who was kidnapped on Monday.

The protesting doctors stormed Government House, Calabar, disrupting government’s and other activities over their colleague’s abduction.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River branch, Effiom Mkpanam, said the doctors have had enough and would no longer condone the continuous kidnapping of their members.

He said: “We are here because our members are being harassed, doctors are being kidnapped and their relations are molested on a weekly basis. We demand an end to the torture of doctors, snatching of their cars and the stealing of their property and other valuables.

“We are tired. We can’t go to work. We can’t even open our gates. Our children can’t go to school because our family members are now targets. From the General Hospital in Obanliku and Ogoja to the Teaching Hospital in Calabar, we are going to sit at home.

“We also demand the unconditional release of our colleague, Mrs. Udoh. She is a nursing mother and her abductors have held for two nights now. Her baby has been crying and her family is worried. The government should do whatever it can to secure her release. We want an end to this menace.”

Speaking, NMA’s Public Relations Officer, Ernest Ochang, said they would continue to protest at the governor’s office, Police headquarters and the office of the Department for State Services (DSS) until she was released.

“Anyone in Cross River State seeking medical attention can go to Akwa Ibom or Benue. We are tired. We are scared and our lives are in danger. Doctors and their family members are no longer safe in Cross River,” he added.

Responding, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tina Agbor, assured that government was working tirelessly to ensure that Mrs. Udoh was released.

“The State Security Adviser (SSA) is on top of the situation. So, we are working assiduously and we are sure she will be released soon,” she added.

Meanwhile, the doctors have urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to redeploy the state Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, over the incessant abductions in the state.

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