Dr Ganiyat Popoola, in kidnappers‘ custody for 9 months now.
The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (JOHESU/AHPA) has decried the prolonged kidnapping of Dr Ganiyat Popoola, a female Senior Registrar at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
In a statement signed by National Chairman Kabir Minjibir and National Secretary Martin Egbanubi, JOHESU/AHPA expressed outrage over the incident, which occurred on Dec. 27, 2023.
The union highlighted the vulnerability of healthcare workers across the country, emphasising that the persistent kidnappings undermined healthcare delivery to citizens.
JOHESU/AHPA described the trend as “dangerous” and urged emergency action from security agencies.
The union expressed solidarity with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on their seven-day nationwide warning strike, which commenced on August 26, in response to the kidnapping of their colleague.
JOHESU/AHPA called on the Federal Government and state authorities to mobilise security agencies to secure the release of Dr Popoola and other kidnapped victims.
Furthermore, the union urged President Bola Tinubu to implement advanced security measures to combat the rising threats of kidnapping, banditry, and organised crimes in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that Popoola, of the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna State, was abducted on December 27, 2023.
She was kidnapped alongside her husband, Nurudeen Popoola, who is a Squadron leader, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, who lives with them.
After several negotiations with the kidnappers, the husband was released on March 8, 2024, but the doctor and Abdul-Mugniy were not released.
It was also gathered that since the incident, the abductors had called severally at will and occasionally to allow some family members to speak with the captives.
They were spoken to last on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to prove that the doctor and the nephew were still alive.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, had also petitioned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to urgently intervene to rescue the victims.
Similarly, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has repeatedly clamoured for Popoola’s release, with chapters of the association holding peaceful protests across different states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, recently.
NARD had threatened to embark on a nationwide warning strike, which commenced on Aug. 26, if Popoola was not released by.
