Nine days after abduction, kidnappers free Edo Medical Director

NINE days after he was kidnapped by gun totting hoodlums at Ikpoba Hill, Benin, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Dr Sylvanus Okogbenin has been freed by his abductors.

The Edo State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Valentine Omoifo who disclosed this yesterday in Benin said that Okogbenin was released from the den of the kidnappers in the early hours of Wednesday and has since reunited with his family.

He said: “Permit me to announce to you this afternoon that professor  Okogbenin, our amiable Chief Medical Director was released this morning.”

Omoifo was however silent as to whether any ransom was paid or not, noting that the union will need to do further consultations to be able to get such details.

He added that the good thing was that the man has been released and has reunited with his family, assuring that the details where and how he was released were still sketchy.

Peeved by the violent abduction during which the doctor’s police guards were reportedly gunned down, members of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) had downed tools and marched through the streets of Irrua, Esan Central local government area, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of their boss, unhurt.

While commending the security agencies for their prompt response and support towards the release of the CMD,  he expressed his heartfelt condolences to the slain police officers.

Valentine further appealed to its affiliated bodies to suspend the industrial action, adding that a complete workforce of both doctors and health workers will ensure adequate service delivery for the interest of the public.

The Edo NMA boss called on the relevant government agencies to ensure that there is adequate and improved funding for the police to enable them to have proper gadgets and facilities, to ensure that there is proper policing of the state and the nation; so that people can go to sleep peacefully with their eyes closed.

Omoifo also tasked the state and the federal government to ensure an improved way of lives for Nigerians.

“I am sure that those who involved in criminal activities quite a few of them can be savage if the economy is improved with better welfare and social security facilities for the citizenry”, he said