Resident doctors at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, on Friday held a peaceful protest, demanding the immediate release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, and her nephew, Abdul-Mugniy Folaranmi.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, Dr. Popoola, was abducted alongside her husband and nephew on December 27, 2023.
Although her husband was released in March 2024, both Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity, with no resolution in sight.
NAN reported that the National Association of Resident Doctors had issued a stern warning, threatening to launch a nationwide strike if Dr. Popoola is not released by August 26, 2024.
During the protest, UCH resident doctors displayed placards with inscriptions such as “Seven months and counting in captivity is unacceptable,” “It is not a crime to be a doctor,” and “#Bring back our Doctor Ganiyat now.”
Their message was clear, they might resort to a strike if the government does not secure Dr. Popoola’s release within a week.
At an earlier news conference, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors at UCH, Dr. John Oladapo, expressed the profound impact Dr. Popoola’s abduction has had on the medical community.
“The abduction of Popoola has not only shattered her immediate family but also left a gaping hole in the medical community and the countless lives she has touched through her work. Her continued absence is a severe loss to the patients who rely on her expertise, to us, her colleagues who value her professionalism, and to the nation at large, which benefits from her services,” Oladapo stated.
He went on to emphasize the immense physical and psychological trauma Dr. Popoola and her nephew have endured during their prolonged captivity.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing insecurity in our nation, which spares neither the young nor the old. We are here to appeal that the registrar and her nephew be released immediately and unconditionally. Their continued detention is inhumane, unjust, and unacceptable,” he added.
Oladapo called on the Federal Government to instruct security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify their efforts to secure the safe return of Dr. Popoola and her nephew.
He also made a heartfelt plea to the kidnappers, urging them to release their victims without further delay.
“We also appeal to the general public to join us in this call and stand together against such acts of terror and violence. Let us amplify our voices and show solidarity with the families affected. The essence of our humanity lies in our collective responsibility to protect one another,” he said.
Highlighting, Popoola’s dedication to her profession, Dr. Oladapo concluded by saying, “The victim has spent her life caring for others. Now, it is our turn to care for her and her nephew.”
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