The President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, and the Medical and Dental Practitioners, on Tuesday advised the Nigerian government to establish state police departments to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, in tackling insecurity.
NMA President, Prof Innocent Ujah, urged the Federal Government to provide modern gadgets and ammunitions for security agents to help tackle insecurity.
Ujah gave the advice while reacting to the death of a medical doctor, Dr Chinelo Megafu Nwando following the train attack in Kaduna.
Nwando had died of gunshots injuries sustained when bandits attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train yesterday.
However, a statement by Dr Aniekeme Uwah, NMA’s National Publicity Secretary, Ujah said: “All Medical and Dental Practitioners under the auspices of NMA are deeply saddened by the tragic, horrific and preventable death of one of our members, Dr Chinelo Megafu Nwando who is reported to have lost her life from injuries sustained from gunshots when the train she travelled in from Abuja to Kaduna was attacked by suspected bandits.
“As an Association, we vehemently decry the worsening insecurity in the country which has made all of us and Nigerians as a whole vulnerable to violent attacks by hoodlums, bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists who are currently having a field day causing us deep sorrows and severe pains.
“The untimely death of the young, promising Dr Chinelo who served at the Kaduna State Dental Centre and worked with St Gerrard’s Hospital, Kakuri, while striving to earn an honest living is one other death too many. The Association notes that needless bloodletting and senseless loss of lives is fast becoming a recurrent decimal in our country, thus worsening the alarming effects of brain drain, which in many instances have been attributable to the worsening security situation in the country.
“The Association hereby calls on the security agencies to urgently reorganize the security architecture in the country with a focus on intelligence gathering to avoid these carnages across the country.
“The Association also recommends that the Federal Government gives strong consideration to the establishment of state police to further complement the efforts of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
“The recruitment of more security personnel and the provision of modern security gadgets and ammunition for them can’t be overemphasized.
“Lastly, the Association prays God to grant the families of Dr Chinelo and all other victims of the very unfortunate incidence, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“We also pray for the speedy recovery of all those who sustained various forms of injuries from gunshots and while trying to escape the attack.”