Gunmen kidnap medical doctor as robbers kill tailor

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

Nsukka—A prominent medical doctor in the university town of Nsukka, Enugu State has been abducted by a six-man gang even as armed robbers shot dead a tailor at Ofulonu Road.

Vanguard gathered that the medical doctor who was identified as Dr. M.A Sadiq, a staff of the University of Nigeria, UNN, Medical Centre, was kidnapped in front of his private hospital, Mount Arafat Hospital, 59 Aku Road Nsukka on Saturday.

Vanguard gathered that the six men waited in front of the hospital for hours for the doctor to finish attending to his patients before abducting him.

The kidnappers reportedly gave the medical doctor the beating of his life before he was hand-cuffed and dragged into his own private car with which they took him away.

Vanguard learnt that the kidnappers came to the hospital on foot and that the security man, Mr Sani who tried to save his master from being taken away was beaten black and blue by the hoodlums who shot sporadically into the air to scar away people from the scene.

Sani told Vanguard that his master was rough handled, as he cried like a baby asking for help but nobody came to his rescue, as the nurses and other staff of the hospital took to their heels while the doctor was battling with his kidnappers.

According to Sani, four of the kidnappers joined the doctor in his car while the other two walked away on foot through another route, explaining that police men came with a hilux van three hours after the abductors had left the scene.

The Chief Medical Director, UNN Medical Centre, Dr. Austin Onwurah declined comments on the kidnap of his staff, saying he was not competent to speak to the press in a matter of that nature and magnitude.

As at the time of this report, the kidnappers had not communicated with the relations or friends of the medical doctor or demanded any ransom.

A seniour police officer who pleaded anonymity confirmed the incident and said they had started investigations to unravel those behind the abduction of Dr Sadiq to ensure his immediate release.

Meanwhile, a tailor was shot dead at Ofulonu Road, in Nsukka same day the doctor was kidnapped. Vanguard gathered that armed men were robbing the compound where Igwebuike’s was living with his family. It was gathered that on hearing cries of his co-tenants, he came out to ascertain what was wrong and was killed in the process.

The body of Igwebuike who was also a driver to the local government treasurer has been deposited at Bishop Shanahan Hospital mortuary Nsukka for autopsy.