Rita Odafe
A recent nationwide protest by resident doctors, led by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), aimed to raise awareness for the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola. Dr. Popoola was kidnapped in Kaduna State on December 27, 2023.
The doctors threatened to halt their services unless their colleague was freed promptly.
Dr. Popoola, a nursing mother, was taken alongside her husband and nephew from their official residence at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna on December 27, 2023.
In Delta State, physicians at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba staged a protest within the hospital grounds, calling for urgent government intervention to secure the release of their abducted colleague.
Dr. Asore, the National Assistant Secretary of NARD and former President of the FMC Asaba Chapter, expressed frustrations over the unsuccessful efforts to secure Dr. Ganiyat Popoola’s release.
Speaking during the protest, Dr. Kenneth Okolie, President of the FMC Asaba Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors, criticized the government’s neglect of healthcare workers’ security, leading to dissatisfaction within the medical profession.
Dr. Okolie urged the federal and Kaduna State governments to take immediate action to secure Dr. Popoola’s release or face a shutdown of medical services until their demands were met.
Dr. Silva Juliet, the Public Relations Officer of the Chapter, appealed for support from the media and concerned citizens to aid in the safe return of their colleague.
Dr. Omo Ekeneam (CMAC), representing the MD, assured the Resident Doctors at the hospital’s administrative complex that management would collaborate with them to advocate for Dr. Ganiyat Popoola’s release.
Reports indicated that Dr. Popoola’s fragile husband was released on March 7, 2024, after negotiations and payment of a ransom exceeding N60 million along with food items, while Dr. Popoola and her nephew remained in captivity.
Speculations arose that Dr. Popoola might be providing medical services to the abductors and their captives due to her profession as a doctor.
