Benue’s medical professionals go on indefinite strike in protest at the kidnapping of a colleague

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has declared a complete and indefinite strike in Benue State in support of one of their colleagues who was kidnapped in Sankera in July.

This was announced in a statement released following an emergency general meeting on Friday in Makurdi and signed by Dr. Ushakuma Anenga and Dr. Godwin Ameh, the chairman and secretary, respectively, of the NMA in Benue State.

Dr. Asema Msuega, who worked at Sankera General Hospital in Ukum LGA, was kidnapped in July and has been held captive ever since, according to OBASANJO NEWS24.

The doctors indicated that they had made the painful choice to go on an indefinite strike starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023, after all attempts to free their colleague from captivity had failed.

The NMA stated in the communiqué that on Tuesday, 29 August 2023, a sizable demonstration of doctors will begin from the Government House Roundabout and end at the government building.

The long-running and unresolved kidnapping of our colleague, Dr. Asema Msuega, who has been held captive for more than a month as of Sunday, July 23, 2023, has forced us to make these difficult decisions.

The private hospitals and clinics have once again been exempted from this strike action because we recognise the significant impact it may have on the provision of healthcare services; as a result, they will continue to be accessible to the general public at this time.

“Our demands are clear: Dr. Asema Msuega’s immediate, unconditional release. We are left with no choice but to implement these measures as we continue to request assistance and intervention until this demand is met.
In order to secure the release of the young doctor, NMA also urged Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, stakeholders, and other well-meaning citizens in the state to become involved in the situation.

NMA Benue State Branch: “The NMA Benue State Branch reiterates its determination to continue pressing until our demand is met even as we thank our members and the public for their overwhelming support and understanding during this trying time.”