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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State chapter, has declared an indefinite strike following the abduction of two members of the association.
Recall that kidnappers had on Friday, November 18, abducted Dr Joshua Omini and Dr Etim Ekpo Egong on Calabar-Ikom Highway.
It was gathered that the abductors have contacted families of the victims and demanded N100 million ransom.
A statement signed by the NMA Chairman and Secretary, Dr Felix Archibong and Dr Etim Amaku respectively, after an emergency general meeting in Calabar, said following the deliberations concerning the matter, members unanimously agreed to activate strike protocol.
They said the activation of the reviewed “Strike Protocol” provides a window of 48hours by NMA-CRS to the state government to secure the unconditional freedom of their kidnapped members.
“Hence NMA-CRS has proceeded on a Total and Indefinite Strike. That the strike is total and indefinite and as such any violation by an individual attracts a fine.
“The government should as a matter of urgency provide security patrols and check points on that axis of the road where the risk is greater and as a matter of urgency, commence the repairs of that section of the road to prevent attacks on vehicles who reduce their speed to be able to go through the bad roads.
“We are not oblivious of the hardship these decisions may cause to members and the general public, hence, we call on all relevant security agencies to ensure the timely and safe release of our abducted colleagues,” the statement read.