The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Branch, has expressed grief over the death of Dr. Stephen Vanman, a medical officer whose body was reportedly discovered at Market Junction along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
The association announced the incident in a statement signed by its Rivers State Branch Secretary, Dr. Diamond Tonye-Obene, and shared on its official Facebook page.
According to the NMA, its State Officers Committee (SOC), led by the branch Chairman, Prof. Ureh Oparaodu, received a report on Tuesday that Vanman had gone missing after leaving for work at an unnamed private hospital.
Following the report, the association contacted his relatives and roommates, who reportedly confirmed that they had been unable to reach him since Saturday night.
The NMA said the SOC subsequently joined Vanman’s family at the Mini-Okoro Police Station in Rumuobiakani, Port Harcourt. There, they were informed that police personnel had discovered his body at Market Junction on Sunday morning, August 9.
“The SOC also accompanied the family to the mortuary, where the corpse was inspected and confirmed,” the statement said.
Vanman had completed his compulsory housemanship at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) earlier this year before moving into private medical practice, according to the association.
Describing his death as a “tragic loss,” the NMA offered its condolences to his relatives, friends, colleagues and other loved ones.
The Rivers State branch also said it would work with relevant security authorities as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the doctor’s death.
His body was reportedly taken to a mortuary after it was recovered on Sunday.
