Resident Doctors Protest Kidnap of Colleague, Threaten Industrial Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Lagos on Friday held a peaceful protest over the kidnap of their colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna State, on December 27, 2023 and yet to be rescued.
Popoola was abducted with her husband and nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, a student at the Airforce Technology Institute. However, Popoola’s husband was released after paying a ransom.

They carried various placards such as “Seven months and counting in captivity is unacceptable” and “#Bring back our Doctor Ganiyat now,” calling the attention of the government to it.

Since the incident, according to NARD, the abductors have called severally at will and occasionally allow some family members to speak to them.

They doctors had earlier warned that if Popoola is not rescued, they will be compelled to embark a nationwide industrial action beginning August 26.

Dr. Dele Abdullahi, the national president of the association, disclosed that they, in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Kaduna State and the management of the National Eye Centre Kaduna, wrote letters on January 11 and July 30, 2024, to inform the Department of State Service, National Intelligence Agency, Inspector General of Police, and the National Security Adviser.

He added that they also informed the Ministry of Health, with the Minister of Health promising to interface with the NSA to expedite rescue efforts.