By Kingston Magare 2.11.2025
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako is worried about the safety of Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, who was kidnapped last Thursday by gunmen.
Dr Mbanugo who is a consultant neurosurgeon with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Awka Anambra State, was taken by the gunmen at Omatha Junction Uruagu, Nnewi Anambra State shortly after performing a life-saving brain surgery.
The Nigeria Medical Association, Anambra branch, had threatened to down tools if Dr Mbanugo is not released in 72 hours.
But there is still no word on the release of the doctor from the kidnappers after they made contact with his colleagues.
“His abduction occurred at the very point where he should have been safest: returning home from serving humanity,” Dr Iziaq Salako, said in a statement.
“Earlier that same day, he had performed multiple critical neurosurgical procedures, including the resection of a complex brain tumour, saving lives and delivering highly specialised care to Nigerians in need.”
He added that Dr. Mbanugo is one the few serving neurosurgeons in the country.
“Nigeria currently has less than 150 practising neurosurgeons serving a population of over 220 million people.
“Against the WHO benchmark of 1 neurosurgeon per 100,000 people, Nigeria has approximately 1 neurosurgeon per 1.9 million citizens.
“This makes every specialist we have invaluable. An attack on one specialist doctor is a direct assault on the nation’s health security and a threat to our collective well-being.
“Our health workforce — doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals — are national assets working under immense pressure to save lives. They must be protected and respected, not harmed or hunted.”
