Warri Central Hospital shut down as kidnappers abduct doctor *Pregnant women protest incident

Warri Central Hospital, Delta State have been shut down in protest of alleged kidnapping of a medical doctor.

The victim was reportedly kidnapped at the weekend on her way to church from her residence and taken to unknown destination.

A similar incident led to the shutting down of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka few weeks ago where a lecturer from the Faculty of Management Science (name withheld) and another senior staff, who is the wife of the state Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Patrick Mobuoghare were seized by unidentified gunmen

The state-owned institution was only reopened last week after the victims were reported released by their captors.

This also came on the heel of kidnap of Warri Area Manager of the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC), William Enoh.

The PPMC depot was also shut down partially on Monday over the development.

The whereabout of the Warri Central Hospital staff Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Chibuikem remain unknown as at Tuesday.

Her captors are demanding for N100 million to have her release.

On Monday, medical personnel in Warri and its environs commenced a strike action in protest of the abduction of the doctor.

A medical personnel who preferred anonymity said the strike was in protest of the precarious state of insecurity in the state.

He said people now leave with fear in the state with the state government and security agents doing little or nothing to salvage the situation.

There were no doctors on duty to attend to sick patients, some who were seen leaving the hospital as at Tuesday when our correspondent visited the hospital.

Among those who left the hospital in protest and disappointed were pregnant women who on daily basis visits the hospital for the government free maternal care programme.
 
Relative of one of the patient said: “Oga, some of us have decided to carry our wards to other hospitals for treatment because we cannot watch them dying here”.

Unconfirmed report had it that, two patients died on their way home as they could not get immediate treatment and couldn't afford the exorbitant charges of private hospitals.

Few workers carrying out skeletal jobs and attending to patient at the emergency unit were discussing the kidnap saga in hush tones amid fear and apprehension.