By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has called on the State Governor, Rev. Fr Dr. Hyacinth Alia, political leaders in the Sankera axis, particularly those from Ukum local government area, Senator Emmanuel Udende representing Benue North East Senatorial Zone and Chief of staff to the Governor, Hon. Paul Biam to, without delay, help secure the release from captivity of Dr. Asema Msuega who has been in the hands of his abductors for over 25 days.
NMA, in the same vein, has appealed to the Paramount Ruler of the Tiv nation, Orchiviligh HRM Prof James Ortese Ayatse to evolve measures within his royal power that will bring about the release of their abducted colleague and those with him.
The NMA’s call was contained in a press statement signed by State Chairman, Dr. Ushakuma Anenga; Secretary, Dr. Ameh Godwin; and the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr. Mark Ogbodo, on Wednesday 15th August 2923 and made available to The Authority, further appealed to the government to reinforce security around health facilities across the state, particularly, in crime-prone areas.
According to the statement, “Dr. Msuega was kidnapped on the 23rd of July 2023 while on a malaria program supervision at a Primary Health Center in Ukum local government area of Benue State when he was abducted”.
The statement further said, “Dr. Msuega Asema was the only doctor at General Hospital Sankera, where he devoted himself to the service of the people for several years. His kidnap makes it the second abduction of a medical doctor in the past three months within our state. This pattern cannot be ignored, as it now seems like doctors, who have given their lives to the service of humanity, are being targeted for kidnap in the state”.
Nigerian Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Benue state chapter, in solidarity with the NMA said, “We raise our unified voices to demand justice for Dr. Asema Msuega”.
NAGGMDP pointed out, “We want to make it very clear that Dr Asema has spent 25 days in captivity and if this issue lingers unresolved, we will not in good conscience continue rendering our vital services while our colleague endures unimaginable suffering in the clutches of heartless kidnappers”.
The Sankera axis of the Benue State northeast geo-political zone has been a very restive place. Only recently, a revenge-style fashion attack on Akpunna town in Ukum local government left at least, 25 persons dead while properties worth millions of naira were razed to the ground.
