The Kogi State Chapter of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has threatened to down tools if their members continued to be abducted and robbed.
The State Chairman of the chapter, Dr Lawal Mohammed in a statement issued on Thursday called on security agencies to curb the attacks on their members and offices across the state.
“Practitioners and businessmen in Pharmaceuticals have become soft targets for the kidnappers and armed robbers.
“Within the space of one week, we have recorded three cases of kidnapping in broad day light and two people have lost their lives during these very ugly incidents in Okene, Kabba and Ajaokuta.
“We have also had instances of armed robbery attacks on Pharmacists this year and the previous year within Lokoja,the state capital.
“We, therefore, appeal to relevant security agencies in Kogi state and other stakeholders to swing into action for the release of the victims, hale hearthy and map out strategies to prevent future occurrence.
“Most of the monies invested in Pharmaceuticals are loan from banks, we therefore urge the perpetrators and the general public not to see us as being rich. One of the implications of this heinous act is shortages in drug supply and withdrawal of services.
“We all need drugs, irrespective of our class, either to keep fit or to recover from an illness. It is an abomination to attack Health facilities/personnel,even during war, so all hands must be on deck to put an end to this menace.
“We call on our father, the Executive Governor of Kogi state, to come to our aid. You have always shown your capacity in the fight against insecurity, we have undiluted confidence in your ability to secure lives and property.
“Your excellency sir, you have done it before, you will do it again,” the statement read.
The decision of the association came following the most recent abduction of one of their members, Abdulazeez Obajimo who is the owner of Azico Pharmacy in Okene.
