The Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Governor’s Office Calabar, Cross River State, Dr Alfred Mboto has said that the internal wrangling in the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the State may be responsible for the persistent kidnapping of the members of the Association.
Speaking to DAILY POST via phone on Wednesday, Dr Mboto said “All of us need to cooperate with others to ensure that we brought to an end this issue of kidnapping because sometimes it’s internal wrangling and friction that causes this kidnapping in the Association.
“We must ask ourselves, why the frequency of this in a particular profession, we must ask ourselves why so much kidnapping?”
He added that, “Every other person has suffered kidnapping and we have been trying to stop it but somebody somewhere is trying to sabotage us by calling for indefinite strike. Calling people to embark on total strike is not a good option.
“The kidnapping cuts across all strata and heaven does not fall when other people in other professions are kidnapped, they exercise patience and wait for security who eventually secure the release of such people, strike is not the best and not too encouraging.”
“We appeal to the doctors to call off their strike and understand with the government, it should not be because they are playing a vital role in the society and that is why people must die, if we withdraw security in all their services will they be happy? They should not consider their interest more than other people’s interest,” he said.
When DAILY POST contacted the Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Innocent Abang via phone on Wednesday, he said, “We don’t have any internal friction that is responsible for kidnapping of our members, it is only that people felt that we have money and after they have dealt with the Igbo traders and others, they now turn their eyes on us.
“They saw us with flashy cars, 90% of us collected loans to buy these cars because government vehicles are no longer available to convey us in case of emergency and call duties, that is the problem.
“The last victim, Dr Godwin Udo who was kidnapped, collected a loan to buy the car he was driving. The car was sold at a cheaper amount just to gather money for his release. Still it was not enough and more loans were collected to get him out. Most of these people have dependence, family members and their families.
“Have you ever heard the Governor making any statement regarding kidnapping in the State? He never came out openly to condemn it. We are not comfortable with this, we will call off the strike if the Governor makes any statement, we are now closing down all Hospitals, if he doesn’t know what to say, let him not come to public office,” he fumed
