By Onwe Wisdom|Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has expressed deep concern over the abduction of Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
In a statement signed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Ministry described the incident as a grave assault on the nation’s health system and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the medical specialist.
“Dr. Mbanugo was attacked around the Omatha Junction, Uruagu, Nnewi while on his way home after an intensive day in the operating theatre,” the statement revealed. “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.”
The Ministry lamented that the neurosurgeon was kidnapped “at the very point where he should have been safest returning home from serving humanity.”
According to the statement, the abductors later contacted some of Dr. Mbanugo’s colleagues through his phone. The case has since been reported to the Anambra State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad, and local vigilante structures. The management of NAUTH, in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and security agencies, is reportedly making concerted efforts to secure his safe return.
Highlighting the national impact of the incident, the Ministry underscored the shortage of neurosurgeons in Nigeria, stressing that such attacks jeopardize the country’s already fragile health security.
“Nigeria currently has less than 150 practising neurosurgeons serving a population of over 220 million people,” the statement noted. “Against the WHO benchmark of one neurosurgeon per 100,000 people, Nigeria has approximately one 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 wellbeing.”
Dr. Salako condemned the recurring cases of violence against health workers, describing them as “national assets working under immense pressure to save lives.”
“They must be protected and respected, not harmed or hunted,” he asserted. “We therefore call on the Anambra State Government and all relevant security agencies to intensify all efforts toward locating Dr. Mbanugo and ensuring his immediate and safe release — unharmed and unconditionally — in honour of the humanitarian service he renders to the country.”
The Ministry extended solidarity to Dr. Mbanugo’s family, colleagues, the NAUTH management, the neurosurgical community, and the entire Nigerian health sector, assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the safety and security of healthcare workers nationwide.
“We stand firmly in solidarity with his family, colleagues, NAUTH management, the neurosurgical community, the NMA and the entire health sector at this painful time,” the Minister stated. “The Ministry remains committed to strengthening the safety and security of health workers across Nigeria.”
