Niger doctors issue 72-hour strike notice over colleague’s kidnap

​From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

​The Niger State chapter of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the state government to secure the rescue of their kidnapped colleague, Dr. Tony Eghagagara.
Recall that ​Dr. Eghagagara, the Head of Medical Services at the New Bussa General Hospital in Borgu Local Government Area, was abducted by bandits at his private clinic in Wawa town on April 22, 2026.
​In a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency general meeting—jointly signed by the Chairman, Dr. Mustapha Mohammed-Aliyu, and the General Secretary, Dr. Musa Alhaji-Shehu—the association threatened to shut down the state’s health sector if their colleague is not rescued within the stipulated timeframe.
​Rising Insecurity and Targeted Attacks
The association expressed “grave concern and mounting frustration” over the worsening insecurity and the targeted victimization of healthcare workers across the state.
​“This Emergency General Meeting was convened against the backdrop of a systemic failure to protect those on the frontlines of service delivery,” the communiqué stated.
​The doctors recalled previous traumatic incidents, including the kidnapping of a doctor at Gulu General Hospital in Lapai LGA and the recent killing of a nurse at the General Hospital in Kagara, Rafi LGA.
These attacks, they said, have left members in a state of perpetual fear.
The NAGGMDP outlined several non-negotiable demands to the Niger State Government must secure Dr. Eghagagara’s release without further excuses, and compulsory security attachments for all health workers in high-risk areas, including dedicated security personnel for doctors during regular shifts and on-call periods.
They added that the state government must take immediate responsibility for the welfare of Dr. Eghagagara’s family, providing full financial and logistical support throughout this crisis.
The association declared that the 72-hour ultimatum will commence at 00:00 hours on Saturday and expire at 00:00 hours on Tuesday.
​“If our colleague is not rescued by the expiration of this ultimatum, NAGGMDP will shut down the system and withdraw all services across the state without exception,” the association warned, adding that the strike would be accompanied by sustained peaceful demonstrations.