Armed men abducted Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, a consultant neurosurgeon at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), on Thursday evening while he was driving home from work.

The kidnapping occurred around 7 p.m. at Omatha Junction in Uruagu, shortly after Mbanugo completed multiple brain surgeries, including a complex tumor resection.

Security agencies—including the Anambra State Police Command, Department of State Services, anti-kidnapping units, and local vigilantes—launched a coordinated search operation. The abductors reportedly used Mbanugo’s phone to contact colleagues, but no ransom demand has been confirmed publicly.

The Federal Ministry of Health condemned the incident, calling it a “direct assault on the nation’s health security.” Minister of State Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako urged authorities to ensure Mbanugo’s safe release, warning that the loss of any specialist threatens national wellbeing. Nigeria has fewer than 150 practicing neurosurgeons serving a population of over 220 million—far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of one per 100,000.

The abduction comes during a nationwide strike by resident doctors, which began on October 23 and has shut down non-emergency services at 91 federal hospitals. NAUTH is among the affected facilities, leaving patients with urgent conditions—including trauma and tumors—without care.

The Association of Resident Doctors issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo last Saturday, demanding Mbanugo’s recovery or threatening escalation. Nigerian Medical Association President Dr. Bala Yusuf pledged support for Mbanugo’s family and colleagues, calling the situation “unacceptable.”

Mbanugo, in his mid-40s, has worked at NAUTH since 2018 and is regarded as one of the few remaining specialists in a field plagued by emigration and underfunding. Colleagues described him as “indispensable,” with one surgeon noting, “He operated on my relative last year—now who’s left for cases like that?”

The ministry promised renewed focus on healthcare worker safety, but critics point to rising insecurity in the southeast. More than 1,200 abductions have been reported nationwide in 2025. Residents in Nnewi, a commercial hub, expressed frustration over recurring kidnappings since 2023.

Police say investigations are ongoing and pledge to provide updates.