By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—A doctor with University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Dr. Nwanfor Asampete was abducted from his home at Ugbowo, Benin, by unknown gunmen Wednesday.

Following his kidnap, other doctors in the hospital have vowed to embark on an indefinite strike action until Dr. Nwanfor, who is a Senior Registrar of the  Department of Histopathology at the hospital, is  released.

Addressing journalists in Benin, Thursday, President of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, UBTH chapter, Dr. Ehigiator Adayonfo, said that members of the association will not work until their colleague was released.

He appealed to relevant security agencies to assist in rescuing Dr. Nwanfor from his abductors.

Dr. Adayonfo said: “We have just finished from an emergency meeting and decided to constitute a team to search for the abducted doctor. It is only when we find him that we will return to our duty posts.”

He explained that Dr. Nwanfor left UBTH at about 8.30pm for home, but was kidnapped by unknown gunmen at the gate to his residence at about 9.00pm. He said Nwanfor ‘s wife had then called him (Adayonfo) and informed him that her husband had been abducted.

He said the matter was reported to Ugbowo Division of the Nigeria Police by himself and wife of the abducted doctor.
Dr. Adayonfo expressed sadness over the frequent kidnapping of doctors in the state, who he described as individuals that have chosen to render humanitarian services to the people.

He appealed to the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa, and the relevant federal and state agencies to step into the issue with a view to ensuring that the kidnapped doctor regained freedom unconditionally.