A former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in
Edo State, Dr Philip Ugbodaga and two other medical doctors whose identities
are yet to be known have been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen.
Ugbodaga and his two colleagues were said to have been abducted
Friday at Umuaka, in Isu local government area of Imo State, where they had
gone to render free medical services to some communities, which was organised
by their friend who was championing free medical services to members of the
community.
The incident happened when a vehicle suspected to have been
trailing them ordered them to stop, following which Ugbodaga and the two other
doctors were forcefully taken away to unknown destination at gunpoint by the
suspected kidnappers.
At the time of this report, the suspected kidnappers were yet to
establish contact with Dr. Ugbodaga’s family, but the abduction of the
political and social crusader has thrown members of his family in Enwan,
Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo state, into anguish and confusion.
Security agencies are said to have commenced investigation into
the kidnap, even as family members were reluctant to comment on the incident.
Meanwhile, condemnation has trailed the kidnap of the doctors.
Reacting to the incident in a press statement, Aiyamenkhue
Edokpolor, Convener of Edo Focus, a platform for political and socio-economic
discourse about Edo State, in which Ugbodaga is an active member, called on the
Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to swing into action and rescue
Ugbodaga and his colleagues and arrest the perpetrators.
“The news of Dr. Phillip Ugbodaga’s kidnap came to us as a rude
shock because apart from his easy-going lifestyle, he is an indefatigable
advocate for the emancipation of the poor; the preservation of the rights of
oppressed Nigerians and health care provider for the vulnerable citizens of Edo
and Nigeria.
“For us, there is certainly no justification for such a person in
Ugbodaga’s standing to be kidnapped, assuming the perpetrators consider moral
grounds as a precursor for their action. However, we are appealing to the
Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to deploy his professional
expertise towards the safe release of our dear brother and comrade.
“We condemn in the strongest term possible, the kidnap of Dr.
Philip Ugbodaga. And while appealing to the Edo state Government to support the
rescue campaign, we urge Edo youths to remain calm as the law enforcement
agencies will unravel the mystery behind this inhuman incident.
“We like to place on record that we will privately examine the
factors and characters behind this ungodly incident, while pledging to sustain
the culture of peaceful disposition; but we will not take kindly to the rumours
that Fulani herdsmen are behind this nefarious gambit,” the statement said.
Also reacting, the immediate past President of the NMA, and member
of Edo Focus, Dr Osahon Enabulele, said “it’s really sad that our brother, Dr.
Philip Ugbodaga was kidnapped by some faceless individuals. While I urge all to
fervently pray for his speedy release, I commend all on-going efforts being
made to secure his safe release. Undoubtedly, our brother’s kidnap is yet another reminder of the failure of
the Nigerian State.”
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