The gunmen who kidnapped a medical doctor with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra state, Dr Cornelius Onuigbo, are demanding a ransom of N10 million.
Dr Onuigbo, a neurologist, was abducted on Tuesday night in front of his house while returning from the hospital.
Sources confirmed that a manhunt had been launched to rescue him.
However, a close friend of Dr. Onuigbo said the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N50 million but have since reduced their demand to N10 million after negotiations.
According to the source, the family are pleading with the kidnappers to reduce the ransom further, as they are struggling to come up with the ransom.
“They initially demanded N50 million but negotiations have been going on. I learned now that they have come down to N10 million and we still hope that they will still come down because the money is not there. We are begging them while at the same time reaching out to friends to see how we can get him out,” the source said.
The Anambra State Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Chukwuemeka Princeton Okam has expressed concerns that medical doctors are being targeted for abduction in the state.
He noted that many doctors have received threat calls, leaving them feeling endangered.
“He was kidnapped in front of his gate at Uruagu village of Nnewi along Nnewi-Orba Road. He was coming back from the hospital and he was trying to enter his house through his gate. Then they (gunmen) double-crossed him and picked him up,” he explained.
About Author
