STOP KIDNAPPING US; EDO DOCTORS CRIES OUT

Fejiro Oliver

Edo State Medical and dentist doctors have called on the government to put a halt to the kidnapping of their members in the state. This call was made by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, in a statement made available to us. According to the statement signed by the Secretary of the association, Mr Maxy Odike, some medical doctors have left the state to work elsewhere since they live in fear of kidnappers while carrying out their duties in the state. They noted the killing of an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Sunday Eruzegbua, in November 2013.

They stated that all efforts to make government provide security for them has been unfruitful
Among the danger they have faced from kidnappers includes:
On May 1, a Specialist Physician was kidnapped at about 7 p.m. on his way home from working. Following a scuffle, he was shot in the abdomen and abandoned for dead. Emergency surgery was what saved his life.
On August 12, a trainee physician was kidnapped abducted at about 6 p.m. at the gate of his house, while returning from work. He was later released after seven days in the kidnappers den.
August 20 was the turn of the wife of an obstetrician and her six-month old baby. They were picked in front of the gate of their house in broad day light. Both mother and child were kept in the bush without a cover for four days.
On August 25, a House Officer was kidnapped. His ordeal lasted six days. On November 7, a Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon received a threatening letter to either deposit N3 million or risk his children being kidnapped. He had to shut down every activity and took his family out of his residence. These included withdrawing his children from school and staying away from work. This lasted for four weeks till today he still move with fears.
On November 29, at about 8 p.m., an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist was kidnapped along with his pregnant wife, one-year-old baby and a house help while driving home. After a short drive in his car, he received a gunshot to his chest. He died before help could reach him. His name was Sunday Eruzegbua (37).
On December 23, a private medical practitioner and gospel minister was taken at about 7.30 p.m. while driving home from work. His ordeal ended four days later, when he was released by his captors.