Kidnappers Free Delta Doctor after Seven Days in Captivity

Medical practitioner, Dr. Wisdom Iboyitete, who was abducted by gunmen who invaded a public hospital in a riverside community in Burutu area of Delta State a week ago, has been freed by the criminals.

 

Iboyitete was reportedly whisked away in a speedboat in the wee hours of June 1, 2020 by the kidnappers who went to the state General Hospital in Ojobo, Burutu Local Government Area while pretending to be helping a sick man.

 

The state Secretary of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Dr. Ikechukwu Okoh, confirmed the release of the abducted colleague on Sunday in Asaba, though he could not give details.

 

It could not also be confirmed as at the time of filing this report if  the ransom of N5million, which was demanded from the distraught family by the kidnappers, was eventually paid to secure the doctor’s freedom.

 

NAGGMDP, an affiliate of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), had last Thursday threatened an indefinite strike in protest against the abduction of the doctor.

 

The state police command also said it was on the trail of the criminals even while the Ojobo community residents said they were trying to get the kidnappers to release the doctor unconditionally.

 

The state of kidnapping and other criminal activities in some parts of the state is partly responsible for the decision of the state government to set up an independent joint security outfit code-named Operation Delta Hawk.

 

The state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has since set up two security committees comprising all stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force and other national security agencies as well as paramilitary personnel, vigilance groups and traditional rulers under the auspices of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers.