Gunmen on Thursday kidnapped two nurses identified as Mr. Awaji-Owa Hebron and Mrs. Felicia Nwikina, at the Erama General Hospital in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
A source disclosed, however, that one of the victims, Nwikina, had escaped from the hands of her abductors and was receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
It was learnt that some armed men had at about 1.30am broken into the hospital and whisked away two nurses that were on duty at gunpoint.
A nurse, who narrowly escaped being kidnapped, Mr. Obi Welly, told The PUNCH that the gunmen numbering over eight, broke into the hospital premises and took away the two nurses.
Welly, who is the General Secretary, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, said before the victims were whisked away, the hoodlums inflicted machete wounds on them.
The nurse hinted that contact had been established with the abductors and the gunmen had demanded N5m ransom to secure the release of the nurses.
He regretted that the nurse still in the kidnappers’ custody had not been paid by the state government for more than three years due to issues relating to
Welly said, “About 1.30am yesterday (Wednesday), a group of armed men, numbering about eight, broke into the compound of Erama General Hospital. The first thing they said was ‘where is the money?’ And the next thing, they forced the two nurses out and made away with them.
“Not only that, they also made away with some of our phones, money, laptops and other valuables, that was after beating the two nurses. We want to thank God that Mrs. Nwikina escaped from the forest where she was taken to. We are also pleading and praying for the return of the other nurse.
“The gunmen have contacted us demanding N5m. As a group, our hearts are in serious pains as we do not know the state of our abducted colleague. The entire nurses in Erama General Hospital and ONELGA unit of NANNM are weeping helplessly and calling for the immediate release of our colleague.”
Welly, however, pleaded on the abductor of his colleague to free him unconditionally considering their financial status.
Meantime, the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni said the police were yet to get details of the incident.
