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Medical doctors in Niger State have warned of an imminent strike if authorities fail to secure the release of a kidnapped colleague, escalating concerns over the safety of healthcare workers in the region.
The threat was issued by the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Niger State chapter, which gave the government a 72-hour deadline to rescue Dr. Tony Eghagagara, Head of Medical Services at the New Bussa General Hospital, located in Borgu Local Government Area.
Eghagagara was reportedly abducted on April 22, 2026, at his private clinic in Wawa town, also within Borgu LGA.
In a communiqué released after an emergency meeting on Monday, and jointly signed by the association’s Chairman, Mustapha Aliyu, and General Secretary, Musa Alhaji-Shehu, the doctors expressed deep frustration over what they described as a worsening security situation targeting healthcare professionals.
“The Congress of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Niger State Branch, views with grave concern and mounting frustration the worsening insecurity and the targeted victimisation of healthcare workers across the state.
“This Emergency General Meeting was convened against the backdrop of a systemic failure to protect those on the frontlines of service delivery,” the statement read.
The association also pointed to a pattern of attacks on medical personnel, referencing the abduction of a doctor at Gulu General Hospital in Lapai Local Government Area and repeated assaults on health facilities that have heightened fear among workers.
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They further cited the killing of a nurse at General Hospital Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area as further evidence of the deteriorating security environment.
Issuing a firm warning, the doctors demanded immediate action from the government, stressing that continued inaction would trigger a total shutdown of healthcare services in the state.
“We demand that the government immediately go in and rescue our member. We will no longer tolerate excuses. If our colleague is not rescued by the expiration of this ultimatum, NAGGMDP will shut down the system and withdraw all services across the state without exception,” the communiqué warned.
Beyond the rescue effort, the association called for enhanced protection for healthcare workers operating in high-risk areas, including the provision of security escorts during duty hours and emergency calls.
They also urged the government to assume full responsibility for the welfare of the abducted doctor’s family, including providing financial and logistical support.
“We are issuing a final 72-hour ultimatum starting from 00:00 hours on Saturday and ending at 00:00 hours on Tuesday, followed by sustained peaceful demonstrations,” the doctors stated.
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