Kidnapped Ogun Doctor, Nurse regain freedom

Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the release of a doctor and a nurse abducted on April 7.

The Force , through  its Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi disclosed this on Tuesday.

Meanwhile , the Police could not confirm if the family members of the victims paid ransom to secure the release of the health workers who regained their freedom in the early hours of today.

The victims were identified as Oladunni Odetola and Mrs Bamgbose respectively.

Odetola, who is the head of General Hospital, Imeko, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area,  alongside the nurse Bamgbose were kidnapped last week Wednesday on Abeokuta – Imeko road.

It was learnt that the gunmen had emerged from the bush at Olubo village and whisked away  their victims.

Their abductors subsequently demanded ₦20m ransom, a development which allegedly led to fundraising among the health workers in the state in order to secure the release of their colleagues.

Also, the State Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogunlaja Oladayo confirmed their release after about six days in captivity.

“Yes, they have been released early this morning,” he added.

Oladayo also declined comments when asked if ransoms were paid.

“I don’t have any information on that”, he responded.

The medical doctors and nurses in Ogun State had earlier announced the withdrawal of services in protest against the abduction of their colleagues.

The no-work protest takes effect from 12 midnight on Tuesday.

Contained in a letter jointly addressed to the Commissioner of Health, Dr Tomi Coker, the health workers accused the government of non-committal to securing the release of their abducted colleagues.

The letter titled “Notification of Withdrawal of Service” was dated April 12, and jointly signed by the State NMA Chairman, Oladayo Ogunlaja and the State Chairman of NANNM, Roseline Solarin.

They described the kidnapping of the health workers as “disheartening, repugnant and unacceptable,” stressing that the government’s approach of “not negotiating with the kidnappers have left us to believe our lives and security is of no essence to this government.”

The leadership, therefore, declared withdrawal of service by the doctors and nurses, from all public health institutions in the state, effective from 12 midnight on Tuesday.

“The strike will continue until the safety of our members is guaranteed,” the leadership stressed.

“In the light of the above, it glaring that the safety of the Health workers is no longer guaranteed.

“The joint committee of NMA and NANNM resolved as follows: Lives of our members which the government cannot guarantee is sacrosanct.

“The Government has not shown enough commitment to the safe release of our incarcerated members.

“Immediate withdrawal of the services of our members from all institutions until the safety of our members is guaranteed, effective from 12 midnight, 13th April 2021.

“We hope that the government will make the security of lives and properties a matter of priority and see to it immediately”, the letter reads.