A mob in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has set ablaze a building where a kidnapped medical doctor, Dr Edwin Emegakor, and four other victims were rescued by security operatives.
Emegakor, the Medical Director of Crown Multi-Specialist Hospital, Nkpor, was reportedly abducted from his hospital on May 7, 2026, and allegedly held in the building before he and four others were rescued on May 10 after spending three days in captivity.
His release was confirmed on Monday by the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Anambra State, Dr Princeton Okam.
Okam disclosed to our correspondent that operatives of the Rapid Response/Anti-Kidnap Squad, Awkuzu Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, rescued the doctor during a fierce gun battle with the kidnappers.
According to him, one police officer was killed during the operation, while two others sustained injuries.
He added that the rescued doctor was healthy, in good spirits and had reunited with his family.
“The release of the doctor has overtaken the strike action earlier scheduled to commence on Monday. There will be an emergency general meeting to take decisions on the suspension of the planned industrial action,” he said.
“We appreciate the security operatives and all those who played roles in securing his release, while also calling on the Anambra State Government to strengthen protection of lives and property in the state.”
However, GOSSIPSNG Metro gathered that residents stormed the building on Monday and partially set it ablaze in anger over the alleged criminal activities linked to the property. The mob was said to have been prevented from completely razing the structure.
The residents also called on the Anambra State Government to demolish the building, as it had done to other properties linked to kidnapping and other crimes in the state.
A video currently circulating online showed angry youths inspecting the building and the rooms where the victims were allegedly held. A shrine was also discovered within the premises, further fuelling outrage among residents.
Voices heard in the video alleged that crime and criminality had continued to cast a shadow over the Mgbuka-Obosi area, with increasing concerns over kidnapping and vehicle theft allegedly linked to the community.
According to the narration in the video, police operatives traced the suspects to the hideout during an operation that led to the rescue of the kidnapped doctor and the arrest of some suspects.
Residents in the video also demanded a thorough investigation to expose all individuals connected to the alleged criminal network.
The building, reportedly owned by a trader popularly known as “Fabulous” at the Mgbuka Amazu Motor Spare Parts Market along the Onitsha-Owerri Road, was alleged to contain a shrine, raising suspicions among residents that it might have been used for other criminal activities.
As of the time of filing this report on Tuesday, the Anambra State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the development. Operatives of the state-owned security outfit, Agunechemba, were also expected to assess the property.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State chapter of the NMA held an emergency meeting on Monday over the incident.
In a communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the association, Dr Princeton Okam and Dr Ifeanyi Obiaeli, respectively, the doctors expressed concern over the rising insecurity in the state.
The communiqué read in part, “Our kidnapped colleague, Dr Edwin Emegakor, was rescued on Sunday morning in Obosi alongside other kidnapped victims through the gallant efforts of the Rapid Response/Anti-Kidnap Squad, Awkuzu Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The operation led to the loss of one police officer, while two others sustained injuries during the fierce gun duel with the kidnappers.
“Recall that Dr Emegakor was kidnapped inside his hospital in Nkpor after attending to patients on the evening of Thursday, May 7, 2026, by gunmen dressed in military and police uniforms, prompting the NMA to issue a 48-hour ultimatum for his release.”
The association said it had suspended its planned industrial action following the doctor’s rescue.
The doctors also commended the state government and security agencies for their efforts, while condoling with the Awkuzu Anti-Kidnapping Unit over the death of the police officer.
According to the communiqué, the NMA leadership had visited the injured officers at the hospital and pledged to offset their medical bills.
The association further called for stronger security measures in the state and renewed its support for the establishment of state police to tackle insecurity.
The doctors also thanked the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, through the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, for the government’s intervention, while urging more proactive measures to address the recent wave of insecurity in the state.
A mob in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has set ablaze a building where a kidnapped medical doctor, Dr Edwin Emegakor, and four other victims were rescued by security operatives.
Emegakor, the Medical Director of Crown Multi-Specialist Hospital, Nkpor, was reportedly abducted from his hospital on May 7, 2026, and allegedly held in the building before he and four others were rescued on May 10 after spending three days in captivity.
His release was confirmed on Monday by the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Anambra State, Dr Princeton Okam.
Okam disclosed to our correspondent that operatives of the Rapid Response/Anti-Kidnap Squad, Awkuzu Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, rescued the doctor during a fierce gun battle with the kidnappers.
According to him, one police officer was killed during the operation, while two others sustained injuries.
He added that the rescued doctor was healthy, in good spirits and had reunited with his family.
“The release of the doctor has overtaken the strike action earlier scheduled to commence on Monday. There will be an emergency general meeting to take decisions on the suspension of the planned industrial action,” he said.
“We appreciate the security operatives and all those who played roles in securing his release, while also calling on the Anambra State Government to strengthen protection of lives and property in the state.”
However, GOSSIPSNG Metro gathered that residents stormed the building on Monday and partially set it ablaze in anger over the alleged criminal activities linked to the property. The mob was said to have been prevented from completely razing the structure.
The residents also called on the Anambra State Government to demolish the building, as it had done to other properties linked to kidnapping and other crimes in the state.
A video currently circulating online showed angry youths inspecting the building and the rooms where the victims were allegedly held. A shrine was also discovered within the premises, further fuelling outrage among residents.
Voices heard in the video alleged that crime and criminality had continued to cast a shadow over the Mgbuka-Obosi area, with increasing concerns over kidnapping and vehicle theft allegedly linked to the community.
According to the narration in the video, police operatives traced the suspects to the hideout during an operation that led to the rescue of the kidnapped doctor and the arrest of some suspects.
Residents in the video also demanded a thorough investigation to expose all individuals connected to the alleged criminal network.
The building, reportedly owned by a trader popularly known as “Fabulous” at the Mgbuka Amazu Motor Spare Parts Market along the Onitsha-Owerri Road, was alleged to contain a shrine, raising suspicions among residents that it might have been used for other criminal activities.
As of the time of filing this report on Tuesday, the Anambra State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the development. Operatives of the state-owned security outfit, Agunechemba, were also expected to assess the property.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State chapter of the NMA held an emergency meeting on Monday over the incident.
In a communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the association, Dr Princeton Okam and Dr Ifeanyi Obiaeli, respectively, the doctors expressed concern over the rising insecurity in the state.
The communiqué read in part, “Our kidnapped colleague, Dr Edwin Emegakor, was rescued on Sunday morning in Obosi alongside other kidnapped victims through the gallant efforts of the Rapid Response/Anti-Kidnap Squad, Awkuzu Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The operation led to the loss of one police officer, while two others sustained injuries during the fierce gun duel with the kidnappers.
“Recall that Dr Emegakor was kidnapped inside his hospital in Nkpor after attending to patients on the evening of Thursday, May 7, 2026, by gunmen dressed in military and police uniforms, prompting the NMA to issue a 48-hour ultimatum for his release.”
The association said it had suspended its planned industrial action following the doctor’s rescue.
The doctors also commended the state government and security agencies for their efforts, while condoling with the Awkuzu Anti-Kidnapping Unit over the death of the police officer.
According to the communiqué, the NMA leadership had visited the injured officers at the hospital and pledged to offset their medical bills.
The association further called for stronger security measures in the state and renewed its support for the establishment of state police to tackle insecurity.
The doctors also thanked the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, through the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, for the government’s intervention, while urging more proactive measures to address the recent wave of insecurity in the state.
