The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has expressed deep concern over the abduction of Tochukwu Mbanugo, a consultant neurosurgeon with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Anambra State, Nigeria. Mr. Mbanugo was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Thursday, October 30, 2025, while returning home after a long day in the operating theatre, where he had performed several complex surgical procedures, including the resection of a brain tumour.
The incident occurred around the Omatha Junction in Uruagu, Nnewi, and has been formally reported to the Anambra State Police Command, the Department of State Services, and local vigilante groups. The abductors later established contact using the doctor’s phone to reach some of his colleagues. The ministry noted that the neurosurgeon’s abduction occurred at a point where he should have been safest, returning home from serving humanity.
The incident highlights the severe shortage of neurosurgeons in Nigeria, with fewer than 150 practising neurosurgeons serving over 220 million people. This ratio of one neurosurgeon to 1.9 million citizens is far below the World Health Organisation’s benchmark of one per 100,000 people. The ministry strongly condemned the incident and all forms of violence against healthcare workers, describing them as national assets who must be protected and respected.
Rescue efforts are underway, with the management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital collaborating with security agencies, the Nigerian Medical Association, and other stakeholders to ensure Mr. Mbanugo’s safe return. The ministry urged the Anambra State government and all relevant security agencies to intensify efforts toward locating the abducted neurosurgeon and ensuring his immediate and safe release, unharmed and unconditionally.
The incident has sparked concern among the medical community, with the ministry standing in solidarity with Mr. Mbanugo’s family, colleagues, and the entire health sector. The safe release of the abducted neurosurgeon is crucial, given the critical role he plays in providing specialized medical care in a country with a significant shortage of neurosurgeons. The ministry’s call for increased efforts to ensure the safe return of Mr. Mbanugo reinforces the need for urgent action to address the security concerns facing healthcare workers in Nigeria.