The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has strongly condemned the abduction of Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State.
Dr. Mbanugo was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Thursday, October 30, 2025, while returning home after performing critical neurosurgical procedures.
In a statement issued by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq 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 abducted doctor.
“Dr. Mbanugo was attacked around the Omatha Junction, Uruagu, Nnewi while on his way home after an intensive day in the operating theatre.
“Earlier that 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, ” he said.
Dr. Salako condemned attacks on healthcare workers, describing them as “national assets working under immense pressure to save lives.
”They must be protected and respected, not harmed or hunted.” He urged the Anambra State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to locate Dr. Mbanugo and ensure his safe release.
The ministry also expressed solidarity with Dr. Mbanugo’s family, colleagues, NAUTH management, the neurosurgical community, and the broader Nigerian health sector, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to safeguarding 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,” Dr. Salako said.
“The Ministry remains committed to strengthening the safety and security of health workers across Nigeria.”
The ministry noted that the neurosurgeon was abducted “at the very point where he should have been safest, returning home from serving humanity.”
Reports indicated that the kidnappers contacted some of Dr. Mbanugo’s colleagues through his phone.
Security agencies, including the Anambra State Police Command, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad, and local vigilante groups, have been alerted.
Meanwhile, NAUTH, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and other relevant bodies are working to secure his release.
Highlighting the wider implications of the incident, the ministry stressed Nigeria’s critical shortage of neurosurgeons, noting that the country has fewer than 150 practising neurosurgeons serving a population of over 220 million people.
“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 invaluable. An attack on one specialist doctor is a direct assault on the nation’s health security and a threat to our collective wellbeing,” the ministry said.
