By CHIMEZIE ANASO

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra branch, has called on Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and security agencies to secure the freedom of their colleague, Dr Tochukwu Mbanugo who was abducted on Oct. 30.

The NMA made the call in a communiqué signed by Dr Princeston Okam and Dr Obiaeli Ifeanyi, Chairman and Secretary respectively, at the end of an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held on Saturday.

The NMA said Mbanugo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon with the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, was kidnapped in front of his hospital at Uruagu, Nnewi in the evening of Oct. 30.

The NMA said the kidnappers had not established communication with Mbanugo’s family, relatives, friends or colleagues as at meeting time urging the government and security agencies to rise up to this challenge immediately.

“A 72- hour ultimatum is hereby given to the Anambra government to secure the immediate release of our colleague Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo.

“If at the expiration of the above time line and our member’s release is not secured, all the doctors in Anambra State under the aegis of NMA, Anambra will down tools until our member is released.

“An emergency meeting will be convened within the next 72 hours to review the progress made so far,” it said.

The NMA said relevant government agencies had been duly informed and while assuring that doctors would continue to deliver quality healthcare services to Anambra people in spite of the prevailing challenges.

Efforts to get reaction from the Police was unfruitful as SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra Command did not respond to calls and messages sent to him. (NAN)