By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
Medical doctors in Delta State under the aegis of the National Association of Government General Medical & Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) have embarked on an indefinite strike over the kidnap of one of their senior colleagues, Dr. Emmanuel Okpako, by yet to be identified gunmen.
Dr. Okpako who is the Principal Medical Officer (PMO) of Government Hospital, Okerenkoko in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday by arms-wielding hoodlums, in the presence of his wife, at Eku Town in the Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.
The aggrieved medical doctors, in a letter addressed to the Delta State Hospital Management Board and copied to the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the State Health Commissioner, stated that they had decided to down tools until their colleague regained freedom.
The letter jointly signed by the Delta NAGGMDP’s Chairman and Secretary, Dr. Samuel Oyawiri and Dr. Idiodemise O’tega respectively, directed all medical practitioners in the public hospitals to adhere strictly to the directive.
Titled ‘Notice of indefinite strike’, the letter read in part, “I have been directed to inform you that our member, Dr. Okpako Emmanuel, Principal Medical Officer (PMO) in Government Hospital Okerenkoko, who was kidnapped on Saturday 27/03/2012 is still being held by his abductors.
“Sequel to the above, I wish to inform you that the branch offices committed (BOC), following an emergency meeting held on the 29/03/2021 at the instance of the Chairman, decided that all NAGGMDP members should DOWN TOOLS indefinitely beginning from 8:00 Hrs 30/032021 until issues bearing on the security of members viz a viz release of Dr. Okpako Emmanuel are resolved as we believe strongly that an injury to one is an injury to all.”
The Delta NAGGMDP chairman, Dr. Oyawiri, when contacted by journalists confirmed the abduction of the medical doctor.
Also, family sources told journalists on Wednesday that the abductors have contacted the family of the victim, demandeding ransom running into several millions of naira as condition to set him free from their den.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the State Command, DSP Edafe Bright could not be reached for omments as of the time of filing this report.