Posted on: Wed 30-03-2022

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has expressed deep sadness over the death of Dr. Chinelo Nwando, who was killed in the terror attack on the Abuja- Kaduna train, Monday night.

The late doctor, in her last tweet on her handle @nelo_x, posted around 9.43pm, had stated: “I’m in the train. I have been shot! Please pray for me.”  

Confirming the incident in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, the association expressed regret, even as it decried the worsening insecurity in the country that has made all Nigerians vulnerable to violent attacks.

The statement read: “The President of the NMA, Prof Innocent Ujah, and indeed 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 Nwando, who is reported to have lost her life from injuries sustained from gunshots, when the train she was travelling 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 a 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 reorganise the security architecture in the country with focus on intelligence gathering in order to avoid these carnages across the country.

“The Association also recommends that the Federal Government gives a strong consideration to the establishment of state police to further complement the efforts of the Nigeria 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 incident, 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.”

It was gathered that the late doctor had previously resigned her appointment with the hospital where she worked and was to relocate abroad on Friday.  

One of her acquaintances  @the_beardedsina in a tweet around 7:55AM on Tuesday had disclosed news of her death.

The tweet read: “Just woke up to sad news about my friend. Just woke up to losing a close friend who was shot at the Abuja Kaduna train incident by terrorists. She tweeted yesterday that we should pray for her sadly she didn’t make it. She was a doctor, Nigeria why…I’m.. heartbroken.

“I was just here yesterday tweeting and asking if there were medical personnel on the train who could offer emergency services and some people were here saying why will I think of such a thing…really?  

“… for basic First Aid to be provided for the injured. May Nigeria not happen to us.” 

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