The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has petitioned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging them to secure the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a Kaduna-based doctor who has been held captive by kidnappers for nearly eight months.
According to The PUNCH, Dr. Popoola, a registrar in the Ophthalmology Department at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna State, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, who lives with them.
Following extensive negotiations, her husband was released on March 8, 2024, but Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
The kidnappers have sporadically allowed the family to communicate with the captives, most recently on July 24, 2024, to confirm that they are still alive.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has been vocal in demanding Dr. Popoola’s release, organizing peaceful protests across various states and in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The association has warned that they will initiate a nationwide strike if Dr. Popoola is not freed by August 26.
In a letter dated August 12, Prof. Pate requested the urgent intervention of the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, and the IG, Kayode Egbetokun, to secure the release of Dr. Popoola.
The letter, titled ‘RE: Kidnap of Resident Doctor at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna: A need for urgent intervention to avert industrial disharmony’, stated,
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is in receipt of a letter from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors Ref.no.NARD/SG/2023-2024/290724/788, dated 29th July 2024 (copy attached) on the above subject.”
“In the letter under reference, the association informed of the abduction of one of their members, Dr. Ganiyat Olawole Popoola, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Care Centre, Kaduna, and her nephew over seven months ago (December, 2023), and the victims have remained in the custody of the kidnappers to date.”
“In view of the above, the ministry is requesting your urgent intervention not only to save the lives of the kidnapped victims but also to avert industrial disharmony in the health sector.”
“While anticipating your prompt action, please accept the warm regards of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.”
