Prof. Ali Muhammmad Pate, Nigeria’s Co-ordinating Minister of Health has called for the rescue of Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped last year by kidnappers and is still in the den of her abductors.
Prof. Pate in a petition he sent to thr National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, said it has become pertinent to rescue Dr Popoolat, who before her abduction on December 27, 2023 was a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna State.
She was kidnapped alongside her other family members, including her husband, who was later released on March 8, 2024 after an undisclosed amount has been paid to the kidnappers.
Several negotiation with the kidnappers to get Dr Popoopa freed from their net have proved abortive.
Last Monday, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD across the country embarked on a peaceful protest demanding the freedom of the abducted medical doctor.
They have also threatened to embark on a an indefinite strike from August 26 if the authorities failed to ensure that she’s released from the kidnappers’ den after more than eight months in captivity.
Meanwhile, Prof. Pate in a letter dated August 12, to the NSA and IGP demanded their intervention to ensure that Dr Popoola is freed.
In the letter titled ‘RE: Kidnap of Resident Doctor at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna: A need for urgent intervention to avert industrial disharmony,’ the minister said her rescue will ensure harmony in the nation’s health sector.
The minister said, “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is in receipt of a letter from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors Ref.no.NARD/SG/2023-2024/290724/788, dated 29th July 2024 (copy attached) on the above subject.
“In the letter under reference, the association informed of the abduction of one of their members, Dr. Ganiyat Olawole Popoola, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Care Centre, Kaduna and her nephew over seven months ago (December, 2023) and the victims have remained in the custody of the kidnappers to date.
“In view of the above, the ministry is requesting your urgent intervention not only to save the lives of the kidnapped victims but also to avert industrial disharmony in the health sector.
“While anticipating your prompt action, please accept the warm regards of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.”
Similarly, Nigerian security forces are still searching for 20 medical students who were kidnapped by gunmen last Thursday. The students were on their way to a medical convention when their motorcade was intercepted in central Benue State by their abductors.
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