Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ENUGU, NIGERIA — The medical community in Nigeria has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of Dr. Andrew Orovwigho, a consultant neuro‑psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro‑Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH) in Enugu, who died after a harrowing ordeal involving abduction and multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by unknown assailants. The incident has intensified alarms over the deteriorating safety situation for healthcare professionals across the country.
According to multiple reports, Dr. Orovwigho was kidnapped on December 30, 2025, outside his home in Enugu State by unidentified gunmen, who reportedly shot him during the initial abduction. He was held captive for several days and released by his captors on January 1, 2026. However, in a shocking and tragic turn of events, the doctor was allegedly attacked again shortly after his release, shot a second time, and abandoned by the roadside while severely wounded.
A passerby later found Dr. Orovwigho and rushed him to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Despite concerted medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on January 2, 2026, leaving behind a grieving professional community and family.
Colleagues and professional bodies have described Dr. Orovwigho as a dedicated and compassionate mental health specialist, deeply committed to treating vulnerable patients and advancing psychiatric care in Nigeria. His sudden and violent death has sent shockwaves throughout the medical profession in Enugu and beyond, drawing widespread condemnation from peers who fear the rising tide of violence against frontline healthcare workers.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State chapter, Dr. Sunny Ken Okafor, confirmed the incident and expressed profound sorrow, noting that an emergency meeting of doctors had been scheduled to address the tragedy and mounting security concerns affecting health workers in the region.
In recent years, attacks on medical personnel have become distressingly common in Nigeria, with kidnappings and violent crimes increasingly targeting doctors, nurses, and other health workers. Reports indicate that in Enugu alone, several practitioners have fallen victim to abductions and related attacks over the past few years, prompting doctors to take extra precautions, including avoiding travel alone and stepping up community safety measures.
Healthcare advocates emphasise that such attacks not only inflict devastating personal losses but also undermine the broader health system. They argue that targeted violence against medical professionals deepens existing workforce shortages, discourages skilled practitioners from serving in high‑need areas, and erodes public confidence in essential services.
The tragic loss of Dr. Orovwigho has renewed calls from medical associations, civil society groups, and concerned citizens for stronger protection of health workers and a more robust security response from government and law enforcement agencies. Many observers point out that protecting medical professionals is not only a matter of individual safety but also a critical component of national health security.
Nigeria’s recruitment and retention of specialist doctors — already challenged by a chronic shortage of skilled personnel — could be worsened if violence against healthcare providers continues unchecked. Experts warn that every attack on a doctor or nurse represents a setback in efforts to build resilient health systems capable of serving millions of citizens.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues, patients, and professional bodies mourning Dr. Orovwigho’s passing. Many recall his commitment to patient care and his role in mentoring young medical practitioners. These sentiments have been coupled with deep frustration over the broader security environment, as kidnappings and violent crimes in southern Nigeria draw renewed scrutiny.
Enugu State officials have yet to issue a formal government statement on the incident, but the outcry from the medical community reflects long‑standing concerns about insecurity and the vulnerability of professionals who provide indispensable services amid escalating threats.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security challenges, including kidnapping for ransom and armed criminality, the tragedy of Dr. Orovwigho’s death underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to safeguard those who dedicate their lives to saving others.
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