Dr Tochukwu Mbanugo, who was kidnapped last week in Nnewi, Anambra state has been released.
Mbanugo, a neurosurgeon working with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, was kidnapped in front of his hospital at Uruagu Nnewi on the evening of Thursday, 30th October, 2025.
Confirming the release to newsmen Tuesday night, State Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr Princeton Okam informed the neurosurgeon was freed on Tuesday.
He said his release came at the verge of the expiration of the ultimatum they gave the State Government.
Anambra NMA, on Sunday, gave the State Government 72 hours to secure the release of Dr Mbanugo or face total shutdown of health service in the state.
Okam said: “We just finished a meeting and if the doctor had not been released, all doctors would have shut down.
“But, fortunately, we got a call from those who have been in contact with the kidnappers, that he has been released.
“I have also been able to speak to him and ascertain that he is stable,” Okam said.
The NMA chief who hinted the kidnappers demanded N100million as ransom for the victim’s release, confirmed that ransom was paid before his release.
He however declined disclosing how much was paid, citing security reasons.
Okam expressed worries over growing abduction of medical personnel who provide essential services yet underpaid.
“It’s worrisome that medical doctors, who are essential services providers, would be targeted by kidnappers, saying that medical doctors are not well-paid to be targeted.
“If people we are saving are against us, then what is the point? The kidnappers are human beings and they have relatives, who we attend to on a daily basis.
“So, they should leave us alone! We don’t have any money for ransom. How much are we paid that we will be targeted by criminals.
“Many doctors are leaving the shores of this country because of the very poor pay. So, those of us, who are sacrificing to stay back must be spared by these criminals,” he said.
The NMA boss called on government to step up efforts to secure the lives and property of residents in the state, especially the medical doctors and other individuals on essential services.
“We get duty calls very late in the night, does it mean we can no longer honour such calls?
“We want a secure environment so that everyone can go about their legitimate businesses,” he posited.
