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.”
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
