CALABAR, Nigeria — The Cross River State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has suspended its 40-day strike, initially instigated to demand the release of their kidnapped colleague, Professor Ekanem Ephraim.
Ephraim was abducted on July 13, 2023, from her medical facility at the Mountain of Fire, by Atimbo Road, in the Calabar Municipality Local Government Area.
Dr. Felix Archibong, the state Chairman of the NMA, announced the decision to suspend the industrial action during a press briefing in Calabar on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
He stated that the decision was reached after an emergency meeting held with NMA members.
“We are not calling off the industrial action, we only suspended it because according to the governor, a lot of Cross Riverians are suffering and many are dying,” Archibong said. “As an association, we are not aware because we have not been going to our offices since the strike was declared.”
He noted that the strike’s suspension came after receiving an appeal letter from Cross River Governor Sen Bassey Otu and added that security measures have increased in the metropolis since the governor’s intervention.
“We also heed the advice of our National President to give the government a soft landing, hence the decision to suspend the strike,” Archibong added.
The association has given the government two weeks to secure Ephraim’s release, stating that they will resume the strike if any other member is kidnapped within this period.
“If any of our members is kidnapped within this period, we won’t hesitate going back to continue the industrial action,” Archibong cautioned.
“But we want to give the government the benefit of the doubt based on the appeal of the governor and the assurance he has given us that she is still alive and will regain her freedom.”
The NMA chairman also highlighted the state government’s announcement of a N5 million bounty for information that could lead to the kidnappers’ arrest and Ephraim’s subsequent release.
“We are also appealing to those behind her abduction to please release her,” Archibong urged. “We are not trying to flex muscles with anyone, but all we ask for is the release of our colleague back to us alive.”
The strike’s suspension is a significant development that reveals the alarming rise of kidnappings in Nigeria, affecting even essential services like healthcare.
The situation underscores the urgent need for a robust security strategy to protect not only medical practitioners but all citizens.
