Kidnapped UCTH doctor rescued after protest

Following a protest by doctors in Cross Rivers to the state House of Assembly and the Governor’s Office, the Consultant Haematologist at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Dr Marcus Inyama, kidnapped by gunmen in Akpabuyo on Thursday, has been rescued by security agents.

During the Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu, promised that the state government was doing something about the incident.

The state branch Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Agam Ayuk, confirmed the rescue of Inyama on Friday.

He said, “The Permanent Secretary Special Services, Sir Alfred Mboto, confirmed it to us. He is currently with the security agencies. We have not had any contact with him yet.

“We were aware that the state government was already doing something before our protest. But I think our protest facilitated the action. We thank the government. We thank the security agencies. We are hoping that they will be empowered and equipped to do their work.

“Usually, the challenge is that government does not do the needful until something happens. We thank the media. The publicity they gave is unprecedented and we really appreciate what the media did.”

When asked if a ransom was paid, he said, “We are not aware if a ransom was paid as far as I know, because negotiations were still going on as of the time he was freed.” On whether the doctors will call off the strike since Inyama had been freed, he said: “We are planning to have a meeting before we suspend our strike.”