The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has urgently appealed to the National Security Adviser and the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate rescue of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a Kaduna-based medical professional who has been held captive since her abduction on December 27, 2023. Dr. Popoola, who serves as a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna State, was taken alongside her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy.
Despite negotiations resulting in the release of her husband on March 8, 2024, both Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in the hands of the kidnappers. Family members have reported sporadic communication with the abductors, which has included allowing family members to speak with the captives. The last contact was made on July 24, 2024, confirming that both individuals are still alive.
Advocacy for Dr. Popoola’s release has intensified, with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors organizing peaceful protests nationwide, including in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on August 12. The association has issued a deadline of August 26 for her release, threatening a nationwide strike if their demands are not met.
In a letter dated August 12, the health minister reached out to relevant security officials, imploring them to take decisive action to rescue the kidnapped physician. The correspondence emphasized the urgent need for intervention to safeguard the lives of the victims and prevent unrest within the healthcare sector.
The plea highlights the ongoing crisis and the critical situation faced by Dr. Popoola and her nephew, calling for immediate action from the authorities to resolve the dire conditions they endure.
