Three Medical Doctors Kidnapped

FORMER chairman of Edo State Nigerian Med­ical Association (NMA), Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, and two other medical doctors whose identities are yet to be known have been reportedly kid­napped.

They were said to have been abducted last Fri­day at Isu Local Govern­ment Area, near Umuaka in Imo State where they had gone to render free medical services to some communities, courtesy of a friend who was championing free medical ser­vices to members of the community.

It was learnt that the incident happened when a particular vehicle sus­pected to trailing them ordered them to stop. Ugbodaga and other doc­tors were forcefully taken away by the gunmen to unknown destination.

At the time of this report, the suspected kid­nappers were yet to make contact with Dr. Ugbo­daga’s family.

Security agencies are already investigating the abduction, even as family members were reluctant to comment on the incident.

Convener of Edo Focus, Aiyamenkhue Edok­polor, in a statement condemned the action. Edokpolor called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, to swing into ac­tion, rescue Ugbodaga, his colleagues and arrest the perpetrators.

Also reacting, immediate past President of the NMA, Dr. Osahon Enab­ulele, who is part of Edo Focus said: “It’s really sad that our brother, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, was kidnapped by some face­less individuals. I urge all to fervently pray for his speedy release. I commend all ongoing efforts being made to secure his safe release. Undoubtedly, our brother’s kidnap is yet another reminder of the failure of the Nigerian state.”