PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) - Dozens of doctors from a leading hospital in Nigeria's southern Edo state have refused to work until kidnappers release one of their colleagues, a state government spokesman said on Thursday.
More than 50 doctors from the main teaching hospital in Benin went on strike on Wednesday after unidentified gunmen abducted the chief medical doctor on his way home from work.
Kidnappings and other violent crimes are increasingly common, especially in the oil-producing Niger Delta. Most hostages are released unharmed after a ransom is paid.
The protesting doctors are demanding authorities find the captors and bolster security in the area.
"The striking doctors protested to the government and we are appealing to them to return to work for the sake of the patients," said Anselm Ojezua, spokesman for the Edo state government.
"We are working with security to ensure the release of the medical doctor," he added.
He said nurses and consultants were taking care of the sick in the doctors' absence, while the hospital has started to turn away new patients.
Reuters Africa
