Despite rumors that his captors have received N20 million in ransom, the medical practitioner who was kidnapped in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, has been held captive for 33 days.

On April 22, 2026, suspected bandits abducted Dr. Tony Eghagagara, the Head of Medical Services at New Bussa General Hospital in Borgu, from his private clinic on the outskirts of Wawa town.

After collecting the ransom payment, the abductors stopped corresponding with family members and coworkers, according to sources close to the family who spoke to Daily Trust.

Additionally, a trustworthy source revealed that the kidnapped physician was supposedly being coerced into treating wounded terrorist gang members.

On Tuesday, the Niger State Government and security services were urged to step up efforts to secure his release by the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (MAGGMDP).

The association’s chairman, Dr. Mustapha Mohammed Aliyu, and general secretary, Dr. Musa Alhaji Shehu, jointly signed a statement during an emergency meeting in which they voiced worry over their colleague’s protracted detention.

Our member has been held captive for thirty-three days and has not yet been freed. The government has not given our member’s family enough assistance while they are in custody,” the group stated.

Despite repeated appeals for better protection of health workers, the association also condemned the insufficient security presence in healthcare facilities situated in unsafe regions.

MAGGMDP called on the government to bolster security around clinics and hospitals, particularly in rural areas that are regularly targeted by armed groups.