Medical doctors in Niger State have threatened to embark on industrial action if the state government fails to secure the release of one of their colleagues abducted by suspected terrorists.

The Niger State chapter of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners gave the government a 72-hour ultimatum to rescue the Head of Medical Services at the New Bussa General Hospital in Borgu Local Government Area, Tony Eghagagara.

Eghagagara was reportedly abducted at his private clinic in Wawa town, Borgu LGA, on April 22, 2026.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency general meeting on Monday and signed by its Chairman, Mustapha Aliyu, and General Secretary, Musa Alhaji-Shehu, the association warned that it would shut down the state health sector if the ultimatum expires without action.

“The Congress of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Niger State Branch, views with grave concern and mounting frustration the worsening insecurity and the targeted victimisation of healthcare workers across the state.

“This Emergency General Meeting was convened against the backdrop of a systemic failure to protect those on the frontlines of service delivery,” the statement read.

The doctors also recalled previous attacks on health workers, including the kidnapping of a doctor at Gulu General Hospital in Lapai Local Government Area, and repeated assaults on hospital facilities that have left members in fear.

They further cited the killing of a nurse at General Hospital Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area as evidence of worsening insecurity.

“We demand that the government immediately go in and rescue our members. We will no longer tolerate excuses. If our colleague is not rescued by the expiration of this ultimatum, NAGGMDP will shut down the system and withdraw all services across the state without exception,” the communiqué warned.

The association also demanded security protection for health workers in high-risk areas, including dedicated security escorts during duty hours and on-call periods.

It further called on the government to take full responsibility for the welfare of the abducted doctor’s family, including financial and logistical support.

“We are issuing a final 72-hour ultimatum starting from 00:00 hours on Saturday and ending at 00:00 hours on Tuesday, followed by sustained peaceful demonstrations,” the doctors stated. (The PUNCH)

Update news