NMA issues 72-hour ultimatum to Soludo, Police over kidnapped colleague

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Saturday issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo over the abduction of one of its members, Tochukwu Mbanugo in Uruagu, Nnewi.

The association urged the governor and the Anambra Police Command to make a concerted effort towards the immediate release of Mbanugo, a consultant neurosurgeon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.

The neurosurgeon was said to have been abducted right in front of the hospital in the evening of October 30, 2025.

In a communique issued at the end of an Emergency General Meeting of the association, the NMA said the kidnappers, since his abduction have yet to initiate any contact with his family, friends or associates.

In addition, the medical association threatened to instruct all its members in the state to embark on a strike action if the doctor’s release is not secured within the expiration of the ultimatum.

“A 72-hour ultimatum is hereby given to the Anambra government to secure the immediate release of our colleague Dr Tochukwu Mbanugo.

“If at the expiration of the above timeline and our member’s release is not secured, all the doctors in Anambra State under the aegis of NMA, Anambra will down tools until our member is released,” the communique said.

While expressing hope for Mbanugo’s safe release, the NMA also assured that all relevant government agencies in the state and beyond have been duly notified of the situation.

In addition, the association appealed to doctors in the state to continue their efforts to deliver quality healthcare services to the people while waiting for action from the Anambra government.