Abia Doctors Issue Ultimatum Over Abducted Colleague, Dr. Bonaventure Aguocha

The Nigerian Medical Association, Abia State chapter, has given the authorities a 24-hour deadline to secure the release of Dr. Bonaventure Aguocha, an orthopaedic surgeon who was abducted on May 24 while returning to Umuahia from Imo State. This ultimatum was contained in a communiqué issued by the NMA after an emergency meeting held in Umuahia. The association, led by its Chairman, Dr. Ezenwa Ezuruike, and Secretary, Dr. Clement Ifenkoronye, warned that if Dr. Aguocha is not released within the given timeframe, doctors in Abia State will embark on a total and indefinite strike from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2. The NMA described Dr. Aguocha as a dedicated teacher, mentor, and former chairman of the Abia NMA, who has provided selfless service to both Abia and Imo States. The association expressed concern over the growing trend of attacks on medical practitioners, citing the unresolved abduction of Prof. Uwadinachi Iweha, a former Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, in 2020. According to the communiqué, '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 NMA 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 Dr. 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. Failure to act within the given timeframe, the NMA warned, would further erode healthcare workers' confidence in the government's ability to guarantee their safety and could disrupt healthcare delivery across both states.