23rd October, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Two of the three medical health workers who were kidnapped in Imo State about a week ago have been set free by their abductors in the early hours of Friday.
Those released were the former Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State branch, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga and one other doctor whose name was not disclosed for personal reasons.
However, the fate of the third victim believed to be a nurse is still unknown as she was said not to have been released by their captors.
Dr. Ugbodaga who spoke journalists in Benin on phone, disclosed that he and the other victim were released at about 1 am on Friday, given N1000 each as transport and led to a nearby expressway and abandoned by their kidnappers, adding that they took refuge in a church till daybreak.
While confirming that the third victim was yet to be released, the doctor said, “but they told us they will release shortly after they led us near a highway. We did not where to follow, whether left or right.”
Reacting to the development, the former national President of NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, who described Ugbodaga’s release as “splendid news,” thanked God immensely for their release.
Also reacting, the Convener, Edo Focus, Aiyamekhue Edokpolor, commended the security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the doctors.
“Our gratitude to the Police, DSS, Imo and Edo States Government and other unseen hands that facilitated Dr. Phillip Ugbodaga’s release from the kidnappers. Having ran to this people’s chambers last Monday to raise the alarm on the unfortunate kidnap of my fellow conrade; here I am again, in the mood of thank-you.’
“We will continue to appreciate our security formations to nip such traumatic tragedies in bud by proactive measures which include information gathering, modern intelligence hardware and software, recruitment of prolific professionals etc. State Governments must judiciously account for the confidence and goodwill reposed on them by arresting such tendencies that promote organized crimes in our youths,” Edokpolor said.
It would be recalled that Ugbodaga and two of his colleagues were abducted last Friday at Umuaka, in Isu local government area of Imo State, where they had gone to render free medical services to some communities, which was organised by their friend who was championing free medical services to members of the community.