Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Police have clarified the disappearance of the Chief Medical Director of Multicare Hospital, Makurdi, Dr Jonah Ogbaji, saying he was arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department in connection with an ongoing investigation.
The clarification followed reports circulating on social media that Ogbaji had been abducted from his hospital along Ankpa Road, Makurdi, while attending to patients at about 9pm on Wednesday.
Ogbaji’s daughter, who identified herself as Patience, had told journalists by telephone that her father was abducted and appealed for his safe return.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the reports of abduction were false after the command made enquiries into the incident.
“The Command has received enquiries regarding reports of the alleged abduction of a medical doctor and owner of a hospital in Makurdi.
“Upon verification, the report is false. The doctor was not abducted. He was arrested yesterday at his hospital by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) attached to the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, in connection with an ongoing investigation.”
Aondongu said the arrest was carried out by the Special Tactical Squad attached to the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja.
He added that the Benue command was not aware of the specific circumstances surrounding the investigation, which was being handled by the Abuja-based intelligence operatives.
The Police therefore urged residents to disregard reports describing the incident as an abduction or kidnapping, stressing that Ogbaji was arrested at his hospital.
Ogbaji, who heads Multicare Hospital in Makurdi, had also served twice as an ex-officio member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the North-Central zone, according to his daughter.
The Police did not disclose the nature of the investigation or the allegations, if any, that led to the doctor’s arrest.
