The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if urgent action is not taken to secure the release of Dr. Ganiyat Olabisi Popoola-Olawale and her husband’s nephew.
The incident occurred on December 27, 2023, at around 1:00 am, within the National Eye Centre Kaduna senior staff quarters.
In a statement by NARD, Dr. Popoola-Olawale was abducted alongside her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her husband’s nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, a student at the Airforce Technology Institute (AFIT). Her husband was released on March 7, 2024 after extensive negotiations while Dr. Popoola-Olawale and Abdul-Mugniy remain in captivity.
NARD said the kidnappers have intermittently allowed family members to speak with the captives, the most recent communication being on July 24, 2024, to confirm they were still alive.
“After several efforts/negotiations, on the 6th of March 2024, the kidnappers agreed to collect N60million and other items worth over N10million (including motorbikes, 2 bags of rice, 20 walkie-talkies, MTN and Airtel recharge cards, engine oil etc) as ransom for all of them to be released. The said amount/items were delivered on the 7th of March 2024 and only the husband was released on 8th of March 2024. At the point of release, he was told to go and get the sum of N40 million naira so that others would be released.
“Within 5 weeks of his release, the sum of N40 million and some items worth almost N10 million was again delivered to the kidnappers by the family but neither Dr Ganiyat nor her nephew was freed.
“About a month ago, the husband was contacted again by the kidnappers for another N40million to be paid as ransom for their release. Although the money is yet to be realised as we speak”.
NARD, in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kaduna State and the management of the National Eye Centre Kaduna, said it has taken several steps to secure their release, written multiple letters to various security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the National Security Adviser (NSA), seeking intervention.
Ministry of Health and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment have also been informed, with promises of intervention, the statement said.
NARD revealed further that several resolutions were made during National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Katsina on July 22 and 27, 2024 namely: “Give 2 weeks ultimatum for Popoola to be released. Engage the media within the period of the ultimatum. Plan a protest in the next 1 week if condition(s) are not met.
Resident doctors all over the nation are set to down tool at the expiration of the ultimatum.
