Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Healthcare delivery in Edo State came to an abrupt standstill over the weekend as medical professionals took the extraordinary step of withdrawing services in protest against a surge in violent abductions targeting their ranks. What began as routine clinical duty has spiralled into a full-blown security crisis, prompting doctors to decry the worsening safety environment and demand urgent government action to protect health workers and citizens alike.
On Friday, the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) announced that doctors across the state would suspend all medical services from 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, until further notice. In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Eustace Oseghale, chairman of the NMA in Edo, said the temporary withdrawal was a protest over the abduction of two colleagues in separate incidents earlier this month and an urgent appeal for enhanced security for healthcare practitioners.
The incidents that triggered the suspension occurred on January 1 and 2, 2026, when gunmen abducted two medical doctors in different parts of the state, significantly heightening fears within the medical community. Among the victims is Dr. Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, a doctor at the Edo State University Teaching Hospital in Auchi, who remains in captivity as kidnappers demand a ransom reportedly reduced to ₦100 million. His brother, Tahir Abu, a newly qualified medical graduate, was also abducted and later found dead, intensifying anger and anxiety among colleagues and residents.
The abductions have underscored broader concerns about escalating insecurity in Edo, where healthcare professionals feel increasingly vulnerable while performing their duties. “The abduction of our colleagues raises serious concerns about the safety of healthcare professionals in Edo State,” Dr. Oseghale said, emphasising that the worsening security situation not only jeopardises lives but also undermines the ability of doctors to provide essential services.
The service suspension effectively paralysed medical care at government hospitals and primary health centres across the state, leaving patients stranded and intensifying public anxiety. Critical and routine services alike were halted as doctors downed tools in a unified show of frustration and fear. Observers warn that prolonged suspension could compound health risks for vulnerable populations, especially in rural areas with limited access to private care.
In Benin City and other urban centres, residents expressed a mixture of sympathy for the doctors’ plight and deep concern about the disruption of healthcare services. For many families waiting for urgent treatment or scheduled appointments, the strike has compounded existing frustrations with security and public welfare issues. Civil society groups, patient advocacy organisations and community leaders have called on both the Edo State Government and federal security agencies to act swiftly to resolve the crisis and ensure the safety of medical professionals.
In addition to the immediate release of the abducted doctors, the NMA has called for a comprehensive review and strengthening of security measures for healthcare workers and the general public. The association is urging sustained dialogue with the Edo State Government and security agencies to address systemic challenges that have made frontline workers targets for kidnappers.
The escalating insecurity is prompting doctors to insist that a safe working environment is non-negotiable. “We will continue to withhold services until our colleagues are released and adequate security measures are implemented,” Dr. Oseghale said, stressing that the threat to doctors’ lives has now reached a level that cannot be ignored.
Reacting to the developments, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo described the kidnapping and killing of one of the doctors as “unfortunate, painful and deeply regrettable,” in a condolence message to the family. He acknowledged that kidnapping and other volatile crimes represent a persistent threat in the region and pledged government efforts to enhance security and apprehend the perpetrators. However, critics argue that promises of intensified efforts must now be followed with concrete actions and measurable results to restore confidence.
The latest attacks on doctors are part of a troubling pattern of violence that has beset parts of southern Nigeria, where kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of criminality have surged in recent years. Healthcare workers, long seen as pillars of community service, now find themselves increasingly exposed to harm simply for performing their duties. This has sparked broader debates about the protection of essential workers and the role of government in ensuring a secure environment for all citizens.
Analysts note that the NMA’s drastic measure sends a clear message about the seriousness of the crisis: without tangible improvements in safety and accountability, the health sector may face ongoing disruptions that could ripple across the state’s social and economic fabric. Civil rights organisations have also weighed in, calling on security agencies to prioritise intelligence-led operations, rapid response units and community partnerships to thwart kidnappers and reduce impunity.
For doctors and their families, the strike reflects not just professional frustration but profound personal fear. Many practitioners spoke of sleepless nights and growing unease about attending to patients in areas perceived as high risk. The abductions have, for now, overshadowed the routine calls of healing that defined their careers, replacing them with urgent demands for personal safety and institutional accountability.
The NMA has reiterated that services will remain suspended until their demands are met and the abducted doctors are safely returned. This hardline stance indicates that the medical community in Edo is no longer willing to accept security lapses as an occupational hazard.
As Edo grapples with the fallout from these violent acts, the situation highlights a critical intersection between public health and public safety. Without effective solutions to protect frontline workers and everyday citizens alike, confidence in state institutions and civic stability may continue to erode.
With deadlines already passed and services suspended, the coming days will be crucial. The Edo State Government, national security apparatuses, and community stakeholders must urgently collaborate to secure the release of the abducted doctors and address the root causes of rising insecurity. Failure to do so risks a deepening crisis in healthcare delivery and could prompt similar actions by professional bodies in other regions facing parallel threats.
The episode serves as a sobering reminder that the safety of health workers is intrinsic not only to effective medical care but also to the broader wellbeing and resilience of society. As Edo’s medical community stands firm in its demands, the nation watches closely for decisive steps that safeguard those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
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