Members of the Abia State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) have taken to the streets protesting the kidnap of their colleague, Prof. Uwadinachi Iweha,
Theassociation has threatened to embark on strike by Monday, if their kidnapped senior colleague, is not released within 48 hours.
Prof. Iweha was kidnapped in front of his country home in Umuajameze Umuopara in Umuahia South LGA on the 6th of June, 2022.
The angry doctors barricaded the major entrance gate to the Government House Umuahia on Friday, demanding Iweha’s immediate release.
The doctors were armed with placards with bearing inscriptions such as: “Dr Iweha should be released”, Doctors lives matter”.
Speaking on behalf of the doctors during the protest, the state chairman, Dr. Chimezie Okwuonu, told the governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Okey Ahaiwe, that they are there to register their grievance over the abduction of Professor Iweha, adding that the incident is depressing and dehumanizing.
According to the state chairman, arising from their meeting held at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, the doctors demanded for Iweha’s immediate release, stating that “if not, in the next 48 hours, we will embark on strike.”
They also insisted that the federal government and state government should prevent further occurrence.
While urging members to pray for the release of Prof. Iweha, the Abia NMA boss implored Ikpeazu to put all machinery in motion to ensure that Prof. Iweha is released.
In his response, the Chief Of Staff, Okey Ahaiwe, assured the doctors that the state government and security agencies will not rest until Prof. Iweha is released.