By Simon EBEGBULEM, Benin City
FOLLOWING the abduction of the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu Benin City, Dr (Mrs) Olabisi Ihenyen and her husband, Dr Lionel Ihenyen, by suspected kidnappers Thursday evening, doctors in Edo State have have gone on strike in protest over their abduction.

The husband and wife were abducted by unknown gunmen along Mile 18, near Ekiadolor at about noon Thursday. Vanguard learnt that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N15million.

Meantime, staff of the Psychiatric hospital who protested round Benin City yesterday, have threatened to free all the patients midnight today, if their CMD was not freed.

In a statement signed by the state Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA) Dr Philip Ugbodaga, it directed all doctors both in the state and Federal hospitals in the state not to attend to patients unless those on emergence list until their colleagues are freed.

It would be recalled that doctors in the state took a similar action two weeks ago when a consultant with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Professor Abel Onumu was abducted.

It was learnt that Dr Lionel and his wife were invited to the scene of the incident by a chief to discuss the status of property which the Ihenyen’s wanted to buy.

It was gathered that while they were discussing with the Chief, some armed youths stormed the area and abducted the duo.

The state Police Command disclosed yesterday that six persons have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping. However, in the NMA statement, it condemned the series of kidnapping in the state and called for unconditional release of the victims.

“We are angered by the total breakdown of security network in Edo state. The lives of health workers in our state are in grave danger and the NMA is extremely worried at the obvious targeting of doctors in this unacceptable enterprise.

Kidnapping that started like a child’s play has today become a quick money making business for hoodlums. They also called on telecommunication service providers to hasten their SIM card registration to aid security agencies in tracking.

“The SIM card registration by telecommunication providers is extremely slow and has not assisted in preventing kidnapping. No conviction of any kidnapper by th4e courts has been recorded in Edo state and there appears to be a lack of political will by relevant authorities saddled with the protection of lives and properties of citizens to act decisively” it stated.