* How Hijab-wearing doctor was abducted with husband, nephew seven months ago
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if their abducted colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, is not released by August 26.
The President of NARD, Dr Dele Abdullahi, made this declaration at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, stating that the association has lost patience with the government’s inaction over the abduction.
Dr Ganiyat, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew.
While her husband was released in March 2024 after reportedly paid N60m, Dr Ganiyat and her nephew remain in captivity.
Abdullahi stated, “Following notification of the incident, the association notified all security agencies through official written communication, requesting immediate action towards the prompt rescue and release of our incarcerated colleague.”
The association also notified the Nigerian Medical Association, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Kaduna State Government.
“For a country where we have placed a high value on healthcare providers and the need for them to remain within the country, it is imperative that the security of these healthcare providers is guaranteed at all times,” Abdullahi said.
Resident doctors demand safe return of colleague held captive for seven months
Abdullahi noted that the association has written several letters to security agencies, the federal government, and the Kaduna State Government, but has seen no significant action.
“We’ve been engaging, but we’ve not actually had any opportunity to have any personal engagement with the security agencies and the state or federal government regarding this sad situation.
“NARD has resolved to organise a national press conference and a protest march in all tertiary hospitals across the nation to demand Dr Ganiyat’s release.
“The association will embark on industrial action on August 26 if Dr Popoola is not freed by then,” he said.
The association appreciated the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians and security agencies but urged the government to take concrete steps to rescue their colleague.
“It’s appalling that in a country where we want healthcare providers to stay, one of us has been incarcerated for over seven months and 17 days without any form of relief or directive on how the rescue mission will proceed,” he added.
How Hijab-wearing doctor was abducted with husband, nephew seven months ago
The PUNCH gathered that the gunmen allegedly broke into the ophthalmologist’s residence on December 27, 2023, at around 1am, kidnapping the doctor, her Air Force officer husband who is a Squadron Leader, and their 16-year-old guest.
It was learned that nothing was heard from the kidnappers until the fourth day when they called and demanded the payment of N100 million as a ransom before their release from captivity.
Our correspondent gathered that the kidnappers threatened to kill the couple if the N100 million ransom was not paid before January 18.
A colleague of the abducted ophthalmologist, simply identified Adetunji, told PUNCH Healthwise exclusively that efforts made by family and friends to raise the N100 million have not been successful.
In June, several Nigerian media reported that the husband was later released after reportedly payment of N60 million ransom, while the wife and nephew still held in captivity.
