C'River Doctors Protest In Calabar, Demand Release of Kidnapped Colleague

Photo: ParadisenewsNG

Report says doctors in Cross River State under the umbrella of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA and Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) have barricaded the Governor’s Office, Calabar, demanding for the safe and unconditional release of their colleague that was kidnapped last week.

PARADISE NEWS learnt that the doctors in their hundreds first took their peaceful protest to the Cross River State House of Assembly Complex, before moving to the Government House to block the entrance.

Recalled that a Consultant Haematologist at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, Dr. Marcus Inyama was abducted on the 18th of July, 2019, at around 7:00pm while he was driving back home from his church meeting with his family at Ikot Effio in Akpabuyo local government area.

The following day, the doctors through the NMA issued a protest letter demanding the release of their fellow colleague.

The protest letter jointly signed by the State Chairman of NMA, Dr Agam Ayuk and the Secretary, Dr Ezoke Epoke on the 19th of July 2019, clearly stated that if Dr. Inyama is not released, “NMA will henceforth withdraw all medical services without any notice anytime a doctor or dependents are taken captive in future.

“NMA Cross River has proceeded on a total indefinite strike in both private, public and institutional hospitals in the state”.

The release highlighted the affected hospitals to include the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, General Hospitals, Medical Centres, Mission Hospitals and private clinics with immediate effect.

According to the release, the total and indefinite action will continue until the victim is released safely and unconditionally. “NMA is not unmindful of the impact of a strike action on the good people of the state; however, we cannot continue to save lives while ours is under constant threat by armed bandits and kidnappers”.

Today, July 25, 2019 at the Governor’s Office, the Chairman, Dr. Ayuk has refused to speak or be addressed by the Permanent Secretary, Government House and has demanded audience with the Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade or his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu.

The doctors were seen carrying placards with the inscriptions; “we cannot continue to save lives while ours is under constant threat, release Dr. Marcus safe and unconditional, the struggle will continue until Dr. Marcus is released, etc.

Earlier at the House of Assembly, a doctor who did not want his name mentioned disclosed to newsmen that the kidnappers earlier demanded for ten million naira (N10,000,000) and later increased it to twenty million naira (N20,000,000)

Addressing the protesting doctors, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones registered his sympathy on the kidnapped member, his family and NMA, assuring that, “the Legislative arm would do all within its power to ensure the freedom of their colleague (Dr. Marcus Inyama).”

Eteng further stated that, after today’s sitting, “the House is going to meet with all relevant security stakeholders to ask questions on the whereabouts of Dr. Inyama and other kidnapped victims.”