By USMAN ALIYU

The Edo State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has announced a statewide withdrawal of medical services from Saturday, following the abduction of two medical doctors, citing escalating insecurity concerns statewide.

Chairman of the association, Dr Eustace Oseghale, disclosed the decision in a statement issued on Friday in Benin, describing it as a protest against rising threats to healthcare workers across Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the kidnappings occurred on Jan. 1 and 2, heightening safety concerns among medical practitioners and prompting urgent calls for improved security statewide.

One of the abducted doctors, Babatunde Abu, was kidnapped in Auchi, with abductors reportedly demanding a N100 million ransom, further alarming colleagues and exposing the vulnerability of medical professionals in Edo.

Oseghale said the withdrawal underscored doctors’ vulnerability and the urgent need for decisive action to secure their colleagues’ release, prevent recurrence, and restore confidence in healthcare delivery across the state system.

He demanded immediate release of the abducted doctors, improved security for residents, and sustained engagement between the Edo State Government and the association on addressing security challenges affecting healthcare delivery statewide.

The NMA chairman warned that services would remain suspended until the demands were met, stressing that a safe working environment was non-negotiable.

“We will continue to withhold services until our colleagues are released and adequate security measures are implemented.

“We urge a swift resolution and expect security agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves,” Oseghale said. (NAN)