NMA to embark on strike in Cross River as gunmen kidnap doctor

Doctors in Cross River State threaten to go on strike after unidentified gunmen kidnapped a paediatrician with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Dr. Vivien Otu.

She was abducted on Friday night at the funeral of one of her colleagues’ mother around the Marian Road in Calabar.

The doctors threatened to go on strike in compliance with a rule that whenever a doctor is kidnapped, his or her colleagues must embark on industrial action.

The newly elected state chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Innocent Abang said, “I was told she went for a wake keep service of one of our colleagues’ mother and was about going home. That was when she was whisked away. The incident happened around an eatery along the Marian Road.

“We have been in contact with security agents. They are trying to get her but since her phones are not with her, they cannot trace her.”

He added, “The standing order for us is that whenever any of us is abducted, we have to go on strike. I don’t know how soon that will happen. We are having a meeting today (Saturday). That will be decided at the meeting.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, did not pick her calls after several attempts as of the time of this report.