Enugu Community Gripped by Fear As Gunmen Abduct UNTH Doctor

There was tension in Enugu when Dr. Orockarrah Orock, a resident doctor at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) in Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, was abducted by armed men on a Saturday.

Dr. Orock managed to break free from his abductors with the assistance of vigilante operatives near the Four-Corners Junction on the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway early on Sunday morning.

It was gathered that his abduction followed the stoppage of food supply to the hospital by vendors over non-payment by the hospital management.
This situation has forced doctors and medical staff to venture outside in search of food, exposing them to potential safety risks.

The news of Orock’s abduction disclosed around 6:30 p.m., instigated a surge of tension and unease among the hospital’s workforce.

It was gathered that the gunmen entered the hospital premises, hiding near the Catholic chapel within the facility, and chased after the resident doctor on sighting his Toyota SUV.

A source said: “He was on call and was driving out of the hospital gate, apparently to pick something, when the men accosted him.

“The gunmen had entered the premises and hid near the Catholic church. They saw him, masked themselves, and raced after him, shooting until he stopped and they abducted him.

“If there were food supply to the doctors, the guy would not have tried to leave his duty post to buy food. We are apprehensive about the new development at the UNTH”.

Uchelue Boniface, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, confirmed on Sunday evening that Dr. Orock successfully escaped from his abductors near Four Corners on the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway, where he ran into vigilant operatives.

“I can confirm to you that he has been rescued after he escaped and ran into security operatives. He will rejoin his family soon. We had prayed all night for his rescue,” Boniface said.

Before his escape, a statement by the hospital management, signed by Boniface, had informed the staff about Orock’s abduction and appealed for their cooperation to ensure the hospital’s uninterrupted operation.

Reacting on Monday, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr Chinazom Ekwueme said: “All glory to God for the safety of Dr. Orockarrah Orock. He escaped from his abductors Sunday morning and we were able to locate him and pick him up safely. He has been reunited with his family.

“We are thankful for his safety but it does not remove the fact that none of us is safe anymore. We took prompt and precise actions that included proper notification to hospital management, the establishment of a collaborative partnership with his family for his search, and the activation of relevant security apparatus. We are still working with the Department of State Services (DSS) and Police to see that these abductors are brought to book.

“We would communicate further updates shortly and a notice for an Emergency Congress meeting for a holistic review and input of the Congress of ARD UNTH on this ugly development would be out in due course”.

When contacted the spokesperson for the Enugu State Police, stated that he had not been briefed on the situation.

Kanyi Daily recalls that gunmen had abducted a retired Major General in Imo State. Maj Gen RC Duru (rtd), was kidnapped last weekend in Orji General area, Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.