By Usman Aliyu, with Expert Analysis
Benin, Jan. 9, 2026 – In a drastic move highlighting a profound breakdown in security, the Edo State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has declared an indefinite, statewide withdrawal of all medical services, effective Saturday. This decisive action comes as a direct response to the kidnapping of two medical doctors within 48 hours, an event that has sent shockwaves through the healthcare community and laid bare the extreme dangers faced by medical personnel.
Dr. Eustace Oseghale, Chairman of the Edo NMA, announced the total suspension of services in a statement issued in Benin on Friday. He framed the move not merely as a protest, but as a necessary act of self-preservation and a stark warning to authorities. “When healers become the primary targets of kidnappers, it signals a catastrophic failure of the security apparatus,” the statement implied, describing an environment of escalating and unchecked threats against healthcare workers across the state.
The trigger for this crisis was the separate abductions of two doctors on January 1st and 2nd, 2026. The most high-profile case involves Dr. Babatunde Abu, who was kidnapped in Auchi. His captors have reportedly demanded a staggering ransom of N100 million, a figure that underscores the targeting of medical professionals as perceived high-value targets. This tactic exploits the societal pressure to secure a doctor’s release, holding public health hostage for financial gain.
Dr. Oseghale emphasized that the service withdrawal underscores a critical vulnerability. “Our colleagues are not just individuals; they are essential service providers. Their abduction cripples healthcare access for thousands and instills fear in every professional required to work in unsafe conditions,” he stated. The NMA’s demands are clear and non-negotiable: the immediate and safe release of the abducted doctors, the implementation of concrete, improved security measures for all residents (with specific protocols for health workers), and sustained, transparent engagement between the Edo State Government and the association to develop lasting solutions.
The implications of this suspension are severe. It means the shutdown of non-emergency care in public hospitals, the postponement of surgeries and clinics, and increased pressure on the few remaining private facilities. This action follows a dangerous pattern seen in other Nigerian states, where healthcare has been weaponized in labor and security disputes, ultimately punishing the most vulnerable populations.
“A safe working environment is non-negotiable. We will continue to withhold services until our colleagues are released and adequate security measures are implemented,” Oseghale warned. He called for swift resolution, urging security agencies to treat the kidnappings with the utmost seriousness. The NMA’s stance presents a formidable challenge to the state government: to visibly demonstrate the capacity to protect its citizens and critical workforce, or risk the collapse of an already strained healthcare system. The clock is now ticking for a resolution before this professional protest evolves into a full-blown public health disaster.
(Source: NAN News. Edited with contextual expansion and analysis.)
