The Federal Government has pleaded with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend their seven-day warning strike, as negotiations continue to secure the release of their kidnapped colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health, made the appeal during a visit to the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, stating, “We are on top of the matter and have been in talks with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the issue.”
Alausa revealed that he had met with NARD leadership on Monday to urge them to call off the strike, as it would exacerbate the situation. He acknowledged that the kidnappers’ demands kept changing, but assured that security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue Dr. Popoola.
The strike, which began to pressure the government to rescue Dr. Popoola, kidnapped in December 2023, has gained support from medical and dental consultants, according to Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, Chairman of NARD at the National Eye Centre.
Mohammed confirmed that the strike was still ongoing, emphasizing that it was a directive from the national body. The fate of Dr. Popoola, who has spent nine months in captivity, remains uncertain.
