Doctors begin strike in Cross River over colleagues’ abduction

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

The medical practitioners kidnapped by gunmen last Friday were Joshua Omin, a member of staff of General Hospital in Ugep community, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State; and Dr Ekpo Egong of General Hospital, Calabar, the state capital.

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

The medical doctors stated that the were on strike over their colleagues kidnapped on the Ekomita-Uyanga axis of the Calabar Ikom highway.

They further expressed displeasure over the lack of security personnel, patrols or checkpoints on the highway in spite of a previous reported case of kidnap on November 15.

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“Members observed the deplorable state of the road especially from Okomita to Uyanga, all in 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.

“NMA in Cross River has embarked on an indefinite strike from Monday Nov. 21, 2022 in solidarity with her 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 in 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 NMA said.

The association, however, called on the state government to urgently effect repairs of the affected portion of the road that slows down vehicular movement and promote easy attacks by gunmen.

The NMA equally urged the state governor, Ben Ayade, to activate all necessary mechanism to ensure that the menace of kidnapping was nipped on the bud before the Yuletide season.

The Star