Doctors Protest Kidnap, Death Of Colleague

Medical practitioners in Owerri on Monday took to the streets to protest the kidnap and killing of their colleague, Dr. M.C. Amako.

Amako, former Medical Director of General Hospital, Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo, died of gunshot wounds, following his abduction by unknown gunmen last week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that he was kidnapped on his way back from work and was shot on the leg in the process.

The placard carrying doctors, numbering about 100, marched from Port Harcourt Road through Bank Road to Government House, Owerri, where they laid their complaint.

Some of the placards read: “Where is Dr. Amako? Who killed Dr. Amako? Why must the killers of Dr. Amako be walking along the street free?

The deceased, who was due to retire from service in February 2012, was left unattended by his abductors, who later released him days after.

Amako, whose bullet wounds were believed to have been infected later died in hospital where other colleagues of his battled in vain to save his life.

Addressing journalists before the protest, the Chairman of Imo chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (MNA), Dr. Bartholomew Okorochukwu, described the incident as traumatic. Okorochukwu recalled that there had been so many incidents of abduction of medical doctors in the state, including Dr. Vincent Udokwu, the former Commissioner for Health.

“It is scaring when he, who provides care for others, does not feel safe enough to come out to practice his calling; healthcare delivery is threatened.

“Why would an underpaid, overworked medical doctor be a target of kidnap; why would the doctor’s car be riddled with bullets?” he asked.

He called on government to strengthen its security network, apprehend and prosecute the kidnappers, as well as their sponsors.

The chairman further called on government to “aggressively” address the problems of extreme poverty, unemployment, social security and corruption so as to reduce kidnapping in the country.