FCT NMA raises concern over kidnapping of members

The Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association has resolved to develop and publish a guideline to support security agencies in the event of the kidnapping of any medical doctor in the FCT.

The Chairman of NMA-FCT, Dr Charles Ugwuanyi, said this on Wednesday at a news conference in Abuja.

Ugwuanyi said, “NMA-FCT, as a matter of urgency, has resolved to develop and publish a guideline to have as a working document in the event of kidnap of any medical doctor in the FCT.

“The document will include informing the appropriate security agencies and thereafter downing tool after 24 hours if no satisfactory actions or noticeable progress by the security agencies.”

He noted that this became necessary following the kidnapping of a member of the association along Airport Road in Abuja, Dr Chammah McSampson, a dental surgeon with Smile Dental Clinic.

He recalled that McSampson was kidnapped on March 10 and was released on March 14 after paying a ransom.

Ugwuanyi said that the NMA-FCT noted with deep concern during its congress on March 16 that the security situation in the FCT had posed an existential threat to the safety of its members.

He added that the congress also decried the delay by the FCT Minister in meeting with his leadership, especially during this difficult period despite several attempts.

According to him, NMA-FCT Congress has highlighted the necessary involvement of private individuals, professional associations, religious organisations, and others in assisting security agencies to curb the menace of insecurity in the FCT and Nigeria in general.

The NMA-FCT boss said that the association’s Emergency General Meeting (EGM) urged its members to be more security conscious by adopting measures that would make them less targeted by kidnappers and other criminals.

According to him, members have been advised not to go home late at night, as well as change the way they store other medical doctors’ names on their phones to avoid unnecessary attention.

Ugwuanyi also appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration Hospital Management Board (FCTA-HMB) to consider how far the doctors stay from the hospital, saying such consideration would prevent security risks.

He noted that NMA-FCT would liaise with other professional bodies and associations to draw attention to the state of the insecurity challenges currently bedevilling the FCT as well as find solutions to them.

Ugwuanyi further added that NMA-FCT would also be visiting the Director-General of the Department of State Security and other security agencies to register its displeasure.

(NAN)