The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Edo State Professor Michael Ibadin has been kidnapped.

Prof. Ibadin was abducted by unknown gunmen on Tuesday while on his way to work from his residence at Ekosodin, an outskirt of Benin City. The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in the state, Dr Osahon Enabulele, who spoke with newsmen in Benin yesterday condemned the kidnap.

He said because of the kidnap, medical and dental practitioners in public and private health institutions in the state had been directed to withdraw clinical services with effect from yesterday. He added that they were to down tools until the kidnapped CMD is released alive.

Enabulele said they decided to suspend medical services to members of the public because no medical or dental practitioner could render services, when his security could not be guaranteed. "The NMA feels pained to declare publicly that following the attacks and kidnap of Prof Ibadin, it has resolved to withdraw its services until the CMD is released and security is guaranteed at the hospital.