Tochukwu Mbanugo, a consultant neurosurgeon with NAUTH, was abducted on Thursday, 30 October 2025, after performing several complex surgical procedures, including a brain tumour resection.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has voiced deep concern following the abduction of Tochukwu Mbanugo, a consultant neurosurgeon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State, according to a statement signed by Iziaq Salako on Sunday.
The statement reported that Mr. Mbanugo was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Thursday, 30 October 2025, near the Omatha Junction in Uruagu, Nnewi, as he returned home from the operating theatre. Earlier that day, he had performed “several complex surgical procedures, including the resection of a brain tumour.”
”His abduction occurred at the very point where he should have been safest, returning home from serving humanity,” the ministry’s statement read.
Contact was later established by the abductors using the doctor’s phone to reach his colleagues. The incident has been reported to the Anambra State Police Command, DSS, and other security bodies.
The ministry highlighted the severe shortage of neurosurgeons in Nigeria, noting that the country has fewer than 150 practicing neurosurgeons for over 220 million people—a ratio of one per 1.9 million citizens, significantly below the WHO benchmark of one per 100,000. NAUTH management is collaborating with security agencies and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for his safe return.
The Ministry “strongly condemned the incident and all forms of violence against healthcare workers,” urging the Anambra State government and security agencies to intensify efforts for Mr. Mbanugo’s immediate and safe release, unharmed and unconditionally.
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