NMA gives govt seven days ultimatum over rampant incessant kidnapping of health workers

The Ondo State Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Ondo state government over the incessant kidnappings of their members and other health workers in the state.

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had last week abducted three health workers of the federal medical center,Owo among whom were two nurses and a doctor.

They were abducted alongside two lecturers of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic at Amurin village on the Akure-Owo Expressway in the Owo Local Government Area of the state.

It noted that they would not guarantee industrial peace in the state after the ultimatum if the government failed to take visible and lasting measures to stop the menace.

Addressing journalists on Monday in Akure ,the Ondo state capital,the state chairman of NMA, Wale Oke expressed worry over the recent kidnappings of doctors and health workers, adding that they now work under intense fear.

He called on the state governor,Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the chief security officer of the state to pay more attention to the security of lives and property of residents for them to go about their lawful businesses.

While commending the efforts of the security agents in the state for their quick response to urgent calls, he solicited more government supports by providing them with modern working tools for effective discharge of their duties.

Oke said: “It is worthy of note that within the spate of last three months, three cases of kidnapping has been linked to doctors not to mention other health workers and other good citizens of this state. This is becoming worrisome and highly unacceptable as our colleagues are now working under intense fear and getting to work place becoming Herculean task.

” We wish to reiterate unequivocally that the government need to urgently do the needful , failure of which we may not be able to guarantee the peaceful industrial harmony currently being enjoyed in the state from our members. We also demand visible and palpable solutions within the next seven days.”

The association advised the governor to urgently convocate a state security summit so as to address the situation and general security issues in the state.

YOMI AYELESO, Akure