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Nurses threaten strike over abduction of colleagues

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

Jethro Ibileke/Benin
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‎‎The abduction of two nurses of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Edo State, last Wednesday by gunmen, is threatening the peace of the hospital.

Nurses at the hospital protested the abduction of their colleagues on Friday by staging a peaceful march along major streets of Benin. They also vowed to withdraw their services if those abducted were not released before the end of Sunday.‎

The victims were identified as Osemelu Lydia and Ovbiosu Bose, both nursing mothers. They were reportedly abducted on Wednesday afternoon along Oluku road in Benin on their way home after picking their children from school.

The gunmen took them away in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to one of them.

The protesting nurses with their placards, went to the palace of Benin Crown Prince, who condemned the abduction.

Speaking with journalists on the issue, the Chairman of the UBTH branch of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Austin Osigbeme, who led the protest, lamented that incessant abduction of their members has become a source of worry for nurses and the management of the hospital.

“They are friends. They went to pick their children from school. One was going to drop the other at home. In the process of dropping her friend with her children, a jeep blocked them and took them away.

“Our members are very worried now; we are worried to the extent that people are even afraid of coming to work, so that you will not be spotted in your uniform while at work.

“We are also worried that the security agencies are not doing anything about the matter. We cannot see what they are doing,” he said, revealing that nurses abducted earlier paid ransoms before they were released.‎

Osigbeme called on security agencies in the state to live up to their responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
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‎It would be recalled that no fewer than four nurses of the teaching hospital have been kidnapped ‎this year.
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‎As at the time of filing this report, the abductors ‎were yet to make any contact with the victims’ families

Meanwhile, the Benin Crown Prince and Edaiken N’Uselu, HRH, Eheneden Erediauwa, has condemned in strong terms, the abduction of the nurses. ‎
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The Crown Prince who spoke through Chief Nosakhare Obadiaru, said: “The palace is against every kidnapping and will do everything possible to make sure that this thing is reversed.”

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