Prof Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has reached out to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging them to take action to rescue Dr. Ganiyat Popoola from Kaduna. Dr. Popoola was abducted last December and has been held captive for almost eight months.
Dr. Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna State, was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, along with her husband, Nurudeen Popool, a Squadron leader, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, who resided with them.
Although negotiations with the kidnappers led to the release of her husband on March 8, 2024, Dr. Popoola and Abdul-Mugniy remain in captivity.
Family members have had occasional phone calls from the abductors, with the most recent being on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to confirm the well-being of the doctor and her nephew.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has been vocal in demanding Dr. Popoola’s release, staging peaceful protests across various states and in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday.
The NARD has threatened a nationwide strike if Dr. Popoola is not freed before August 26.
In a dated letter of August 12, Minister Pate sought the assistance of NSA Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and IG Kayode Egbetokun in securing the safe return of the abducted doctor.
The communication was titled ‘RE: Kidnap of Resident Doctor at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna: A need for urgent intervention to avert industrial disharmony’.
Minister Pate stated, “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has received a letter from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors Ref.no.NARD/SG/2023-2024/290724/788, dated 29th July 2024 (copy attached) regarding the abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Olawole Popoola, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Care Centre in Kaduna and her nephew over seven months ago (December, 2023), who are still being held by the kidnappers.
“Given the circumstances, the ministry urgently requests your intervention to ensure the safety of the abducted individuals and prevent potential unrest in the healthcare sector.
“We look forward to your immediate action and appreciate your attention to this matter on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.”