NSA hands over abducted doctor, nephew to NMA

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has handed over Dr Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola,a Nigerian doctor abducted in Kaduna State ten months ago, to her family.

Ribadu also reunited Abdulmugniy Folaranmi, a 16-year-old 100-level student of the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, with his family.

Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, a Nigerian Air Force officer, his wife, Dr. Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola, and her nephew, Abdulmugniy Folaranmi were kidnapped on December 27, 2023. However, Nurudeen Popoola was released in March.

They were kidnapped from their residence at the National Eye Centre Quarters in Mando, Kaduna.

The trio hail from Iseyin in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo State.

Dr. Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola and Abdulmugniy Folaranmi were eventually released by their captors on Wednesday, after spending ten months in captivity.

Ganiyat and Abdulmugniy have now been handed over to their family by Ribadu.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Mannir Bature, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday.

Bature noted that the duo were handed over to their family in the presence of NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, for rehabilitation and reintegration.

He added that representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) were present at the event.

Dr Audu expressed gratitude to the security agencies under Ribadu’s leadership.