Medical doctors in Niger State have issued a strong warning to the state government, threatening to shut down healthcare services if urgent action is not taken to secure the release of one of their colleagues abducted by suspected terrorists.
The Niger State chapter of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners said it would embark on an industrial action if the government fails to rescue Dr. Tony Eghagagara within 72 hours.
Eghagagara, the Head of Medical Services at New Bussa General Hospital in Borgu Local Government Area, was reportedly kidnapped on April 22, 2026, at his private clinic in Wawa town.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting on Monday and signed by Chairman Mustapha Aliyu and General Secretary Musa Alhaji-Shehu, the doctors expressed deep concern over what they described as worsening insecurity targeting healthcare workers in the state.
The association said the abduction was part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on medical personnel, recalling previous incidents including the kidnapping of a doctor at Gulu General Hospital in Lapai and the killing of a nurse at General Hospital Kagara in Rafi LGA.
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They warned that the continued attacks have left many health workers fearful and demoralised, affecting service delivery across the state.
The doctors demanded immediate rescue efforts, better protection for medical staff, and security escorts for those working in high-risk areas. They also insisted that the government must take full responsibility for the welfare of the abducted doctor’s family.
According to the communiqué, the ultimatum takes effect from 00:00 hours on Saturday and expires at 00:00 hours on Tuesday, after which the association said it would withdraw services across the state and embark on peaceful protests if no action is taken.
The group stressed that the safety of healthcare workers must be prioritised, warning that continued neglect could collapse the state’s already stretched health system.
