Details emerge as NMA commences indefinite strike in Cross River

Following the non-release of two medical personnel abducted over a week ago by gunmen, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State branch has embarked on an indefinite strike.

Chairman of NMA in Cross River, Dr Felix Archibong and secretary Dr Amaku Asuquo said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting held today.

The abductees include Dr Joshua Omini, a staff with the General Hospital in Ugep, Yakurr LGA and Dr Ekpo Egong of the General Hospital, Calabar.

The incident happened on November 18, 2022, along the Okomita-Uyanga axis of the Calabar Ikom highway.

The road has witnessed increasing numbers of kidnap as well as armed robbery attacks in the last two weeks. Nine motorists, including a white man, were kidnapped and taken into the Uyanga forests. However, security personnel rescued them soon after. Last Friday, seven others were similarly kidnapped.

The state governor had called on the federal government to supply him with Tucano aircraft and more soldiers to comb the nearby Uyanga forests.

In the NMA communique, they lamented the state of insecurity and called on the state government to help

They observed with dismay the lack of security personnel and patrols and or checkpoints on the said stretch of the road despite several kidnaps and armed robbery attacks