Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has called for the immediate release of innocent Nigerians being held in captivity by armed groups across different parts of the country, while it celebrated the safe return of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was held by kidnapers for 10 months.
The National Amirah of FOMWAN, Hajia Rafiat Idowu Sanni, made the statement at the special prayer organised in honour of Dr. Popoola on Friday at the FOMWAN Headquarters, FCT, Abuja.
Dr. Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna was kidnapped on 27th December 2023, alongside her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, who lives with them, before she finally regained freedom after 10 months in captivity.
The Amirah of FOMWAN, an umbrella body for Muslim women organisations in Nigeria noted that many kidnapped individuals were sometimes returned dead, while praying for the safe release of those still in captivity.
She said, “We pray that Allah touches the hearts of those responsible for these kidnappings so that peace and security may return to our dear country.
“As I mentioned before, Dr. Ganiyat is like a daughter to us, especially as she is the daughter of one of our Amirahs (female heads) from a local government in Oyo State. When she was in captivity, we were all overwhelmed with sadness and tears.
“I remember when I heard about the kidnapping of the Catholic medical sisters around the same period; I made a press statement from Saudi Arabia condemning such acts. I had said that we do not want this kind of violence in Nigeria, whether it affects a male or a female child.’’
Also speaking, Amirah of the Federal Capital Territory chapter, Hajia Fatima Ndako, expressed concern over the number of people still in captivity.
She noted the need for collective action to address the challenges and encouraged women to take steps to foster peace in the country.
In her remarks, President of the Islamic Green Tea and member of the National FOMWAN Humanitarian Committee, Hajia Bola Usman, highlighted the important role of mothers in raising children.
She urged mothers, whether biological or guardians, to take responsibility for guiding children in virtuous teachings, regardless of whether they are Christians or Muslims.
Hajia Usman further called on parents to instil the teachings of the prophet (SAW) in children to help counter terrorism and violence as they grow.
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