Doctors Protest as Female Colleague Remains in Captivity for Eight Months

Resident doctors, under the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), held a nationwide protest on Saturday to demand the release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was abducted in Kaduna State on December 27, 2023. They have threatened to go on strike if she is not released by her captors.

Dr. Popoola, a nursing mother, was kidnapped alongside her husband and nephew from their official residence at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

In Delta State, doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba marched around the hospital premises, chanting solidarity songs and urging the government to take immediate action to secure Dr. Popoola’s release.

Dr. Asore, the National Assistant Secretary of NARD and former President of the FMC Asaba Chapter, confirmed that the national body had made every effort to secure her release, but without success. “We have done everything possible to get Dr. Ganiyat Popoola released. It has been promises upon promises by security agencies,” he said.

He added that NARD had planned a nationwide protest but decided to limit it to individual states due to the fragile state of the country following the End Bad Governance protest.

During the protest, Dr. Kenneth Okolie, President of the FMC Asaba Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors, criticized the government’s lack of concern for the safety of medical personnel, which he said had contributed to the ongoing “Japa” syndrome in the profession. He called on the federal and Kaduna State governments to secure Dr. Popoola’s release immediately or face a shutdown of services.

Dr. Silva Juliet, the Chapter’s Public Relations Officer, also appealed to the media and Nigerians to support their efforts to ensure Dr. Popoola’s safe return to her family and colleagues.

In a show of solidarity, Dr. Omo Ekeneam (CMAC), representing the hospital’s MD, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, addressed the resident doctors, assuring them that the management would support and work with them to advance the cause for Dr. Popoola’s release.

It was reported that Dr. Popoola’s husband, who was in fragile health, was released on March 7, 2024, after a ransom of over N60 million and food supplies was paid. However, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.

Speculation has arisen that Dr. Popoola, being a doctor, might be providing medical services to the bandits and their captives, which could be a reason for her continued detention.