By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—THE kidnappers, who abducted the former Chief Medical Director, CMD,  of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Prof. Eugene Okpere, are demanding the sum of N100million before he could secure his freedom.

The former CMD was abducted on Sunday, when he drove out for an early morning church service.

A family source told Vanguard, yesterday, that the abductors contacted the family Sunday night and after disclosing their demand, the line went dead, denying the family the opportunity to negotiate. The situation, Vanguard, learnt, is creating panic in the family.

Following the threat by the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA,  to ground activities in hospitals, yesterday, to press for the unconditional release of the former CMD, the NMA enforced its directive,   as government hospitals across the state remained skeletal.

Only those on emergency list were admitted.

The state chairman of NMA, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, said the presence of foremost nationalist, Chief Anthony Enahoro, who is currently recuperating at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, prevented the association from grounding activities totally.

“Ordinarily, we are to stop work totally but we have a special guest in one of our hospitals, Chief  Enahoro, so because of him, we are attending to people already with us and also emergency cases.

“The leadership of the NMA will meet to take a critical position on this development where medical workers are now targets of kidnappers,” he said.

Vanguard was further informed that the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, UBTH chapter, met yesterday, to review the situation and are contemplating total strike action to press for the release of Dr Okpere.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Peter Ogboi, said the police “ is working on it but I cannot disclose to you how we are doing it.”