- The female doctor has been abducted since December 2023
Nigerian resident doctors, under the umbrella of NARD, held a nationwide protest to demand the safe release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been held captive for eight months.
Dr. Popoola, a nursing mother, was abducted from her official residence at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna State on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew.
The protest, which took place at various hospital premises across the country, including the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, Delta State, featured chants and demands for government intervention to secure Dr. Popoola’s release.
According to Dr. Asore, NARD’s National Assistant Secretary, the association has exhausted all avenues to secure Dr. Popoola’s release, but the government’s promises have yielded no results.
Dr. Asore attributed the scaled-back protest to the country’s fragile state, opting for hospital-based protests instead of a nationwide demonstration.
Dr. Kenneth Okolie, President of the FMC Asaba Chapter, criticized the government’s neglect of medical personnel’s security, citing the “Japa syndrome” as a consequence of this attitude.
He urged the federal and Kaduna State governments to take immediate action to secure Dr. Popoola’s release, warning of a shutdown of services if their demands are not met.
Dr. Silva Juliet, Public Relations Officer, appealed to the media and the public to support the Resident Doctors’ agitation for Dr. Popoola’s release.
Dr. Omo Ekeneam, representing the hospital’s management, assured the protesters of management’s support and collaboration in securing Dr. Popoola’s release.
Dr. Popoola’s husband, who was also kidnapped, was released on March 7, 2024, after a ransom payment, but Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity, fueling speculation about her continued detention due to her medical expertise.