The Provost of College of Medicine of
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi
Campus was Friday kidnapped at his
home town, Ogidi in Anambra State. The Provost, who is also a Senior
Consultant on Obstetrics and
Gynaecology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe
University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH)
, Nnewi was abducted while he was
returning from Onitsha to his home town. A source close to the family said the
abductors had established contact
with the victim’s relations, adding
that they were demanding payment
of N50 million ransom. Immediate past chairman of Medical
and Dental Consultants Association of
Nigeria (MDCAN), Dr Gerald Udigwe
said yesterday that the abduction of
the provost had thrown the teaching
hospital into confusion. Condemning the incident, Ndigwe
said: “ We plead with the security
agencies, the Governor of the state
and all stakeholders to ensure that
he is released as soon as possible,
unconditionally and unharmed. “These kidnappings have instilled
fear in us and we cannot go out at
odd hours more so now that the
police check-points have been
removed. While we are not calling
for a restoration of the road blocks, we call for adequate security
measures to be taken by the police
to protect those who work at odd
hours”. Medical students of the institution
took to the streets on learning of the
abduction of their provost and made
attempt to march to the police
headquarters, Awka, but were
persuaded by the authorities of the university to remain calm. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),
Awka, Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka
confirmed the incident and said that
the police were working round the
clock to ensure the release of the
professor.
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