The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), South-South Caucus, has raised serious concerns over worsening insecurity in the region, warning that doctors and other healthcare workers are increasingly becoming targets of kidnapping and violent crime.

The caucus disclosed that two medical doctors in Edo State were abducted in separate incidents in early January 2026. The victims were identified as Dr. Abu Babatunde of the Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi, who was kidnapped on January 1, and Dr. Stephen Osamaye of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, abducted the following day.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NMA said the situation took a tragic turn with the discovery of the body of Tahir Abu, the younger brother of Dr. Babatunde, who was abducted alongside him in Auchi.

According to the association, reports indicated that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦200 million, which was later reduced to ₦100 million, further heightening fears within the medical community.

The NMA warned that doctors and health workers have become particularly vulnerable to criminal attacks due to the nature of their profession, which often requires movement at odd hours, emergency responses, late-night duties, and interactions with a wide range of people.

The South-South Caucus—comprising NMA branches in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States—called on Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, to take urgent action to secure the immediate and unconditional release of those still in captivity.

The association also demanded increased security surveillance around healthcare institutions across the region to prevent further attacks.

While commending efforts already taken by the Edo State branch of the NMA in response to the kidnappings, the caucus stressed that stronger and more decisive measures are needed to address the growing insecurity.

It further appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, and concerned Nigerians to urgently intervene, warning that the security crisis in the South-South is worsening and posing a serious threat to healthcare delivery.

The statement was jointly signed by the leadership of the NMA South-South Caucus and chairmen of state chapters across the region.