The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) staged a nationwide protest on Saturday to demand the release of their abducted colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped in Kaduna State on December 27, 2023.
In Delta State, resident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba marched around the hospital premises, chanting solidarity songs and demanding urgent action from the government to secure Dr. Popoola’s release.
The National Assistant Secretary of NARD, Dr. Asore, expressed frustration over the government’s inaction, stating that “promises upon promises” had been made by security agencies without result.
The President of the FMC Asaba Chapter of NARD, Dr. Kenneth Okolie, criticized the government’s attitude towards medical personnel, saying their security had been neglected, leading to the “Japa syndrome” in the medical profession.
Dr. Okolie called on the federal and Kaduna State governments to secure Dr. Popoola’s release immediately or face a shutdown of services.
The Public Relations Officer of the Chapter, Dr. Silva Juliet, appealed to the media and well-meaning Nigerians to support the resident doctors’ agitation for Dr. Popoola’s release.
The hospital’s management, represented by Dr. Omo Ekeneam, assured the resident doctors of support and synergy in their demand for Dr. Popoola’s release.
Dr. Popoola’s husband was released on March 7, 2024, after payment of over N60 million and foodstuff as ransom, but Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
