Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a physician at National Eye Care Kaduna, remains in captivity 232 days after her abduction by bandits on December 27, 2023. The incident, which saw Dr. Popoola taken along with her husband and nephew during a raid on the hospital’s staff quarters, has spurred protest within the medical community.
On Thursday, fellow doctors staged a peaceful demonstration at the National Eye Care Kaduna, issuing a stark warning: if Dr. Popoola is not rescued, they may be compelled to initiate nationwide industrial action. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Okpanaki, who heads the National Eye Centre Kaduna branch, led the protest, imploring security agencies to redouble their efforts to secure the release of the breastfeeding doctor and her nephew.
The situation has taken on added urgency with the revelation that Dr. Popoola’s husband was released due to declining health. As the captivity stretches into its eighth month, the medical community’s patience wears thin, and the pressure mounts on authorities to resolve this harrowing ordeal.
Dr. Okpanaki expressed concern for Dr. Popoola’s deteriorating health, emphasising, “If she is not released unconditionally, we, the National Association of Resident Doctors, will have no choice but to embark on an industrial action, as our safety cannot be guaranteed.”
He also lauded the management of the National Eye Care Centre for improving the security around the staff quarters while protecting it from further attacks. He commended them for the efforts towards securing the release of the abducted doctor and her nephew.
In her remarks, Acting Chief Medical Director Aminatu Abdulrahman stated that many medical practitioners are leaving Nigeria over safety concern and poor remunerations.
“Those who choose to stay deserve not only physical safety but also health security and good welfare. Public health officers are the hope of the majority of Nigerians and should be protected,” she said.
She pressed on security agencies and other stakeholders involved to intensify their efforts to rescue the abducted doctor. She said, with the current military might of Nigeria, the masses should not be exposed to such forms of insecurity.