Kidnapped Enugu doctor dies after second abduction, shooting

A consultant neuro-psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Enugu, Dr. Andrew Orovwigho, has died following his abduction and subsequent shooting by unknown assailants, raising fresh concerns about the safety of medical professionals in Nigeria.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, it was  gathered on Friday that Dr. Orovwigho was abducted on December 30, 2025, directly in front of his residence, where he was reportedly shot during the incident.

He was later released by his abductors on January 1, 2026. However, events took a tragic turn when the doctor was allegedly attacked again shortly after regaining his freedom.

According to sources, Dr. Orovwigho was shot a second time and left by the roadside.

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“A good Samaritan found him and rushed him to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Despite medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries on January 2, 2026,” one of the sources said.

Dr. Orovwigho was described by colleagues as a committed mental health specialist who dedicated his career to caring for vulnerable patients. His death has sent shockwaves through the medical community in Enugu and beyond, coming amid rising concerns over kidnapping and violent crimes in Enugu State.

While details surrounding the attacks remain unclear, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State chapter, Dr Sunny Ken Okafor, confirmed the incident to the online newspaper.

Dr Okafor, who said he was on transit at the time, could not provide further details but disclosed that an emergency meeting of doctors in Enugu has been scheduled for next Wednesday to deliberate on the matter.

Meanwhile, healthcare workers have expressed growing anxiety over what they describe as an increasingly dangerous working environment, as reports of kidnappings and violent attacks continue to rise across the country.

“Doctors and nurses are now endangered species,” a medical professional said. “This is frightening and unacceptable.”

The management of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu, has yet to issue an official statement on the incident. However, tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues, patients, and professional associations, many of whom describe Dr. Orovwigho’s death as a devastating and preventable loss.