August 16, (THEWILL) – The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Maiduguri State chapter, on Friday, charged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to give a marching order to the Armed forces to ensure the release of Dr Ganiyat Olabisi Popoola-Olawale, who was kidnapped last year in December, 2023.
THEWILL recalls that the unfortunate incident occurred at about 1:00am on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at National eye centre in Kaduna state.
The peaceful protest which started at about 8:30am from NARD office to the administrative blocks of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri and passed through every Child Care Centre, Kidneys Centre, accident and emergency unit, and several at exactly 10:00am in the morning.
The doctors who carried placards with various inscriptions such as, Six Months Too Long to Rescue,” Her Five Children are Waiting to Their Mother,” “Please help find Dr. Ganiyat Olabisi Popoola-Olawale,” “bring back Dr. Popoola,” “We demand the immediate release of Dr Popoola,” and “Free Dr Popoola now.”
Our correspondent also reports that Dr Ganiyat Olabisi Popoola-Olawale was abducted alongside with her husband, Squadron leader Nurudeen Popoola and the husband’s nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, a student of Airforce Technology Institute (AFIT), who was staying with them.
Dr Sheriff Yahaya Sheriff, State President of ARD,u disclosed that after several efforts and negotiations, the husband was released on 7th March, 2024, adding that since the incident, the abductors have called severally at will and spoke with the member of the family on Wednesday 24th July, 2024 to proof that they are both alive.
While registry their displeasure before Prof Ibrahim Sanusi, the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, C-MAC UMTH who received the angry doctors on behalf of the chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof Ahmed Ahijo noted that if at the end of the two weeks ultimatum given to the federal government by the association to rescue her they would be forced to declare indefinite industrial action for the sake of their colleague.
“I think six months is good enough to have rescued our colleague and her husband. President Tinubu should give directive to Service Chiefs to bring our sister home and safe. We are here to express our displeasure on the abduction of Dr. Olabisi Popoola-Olawale alongside her husband Squadron leader Nurudeen Popoola and the husband’s nephew Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, a student of Airforce Technology Institute (AFIT), who was staying with them.
“We are also calling on both the federal government and Kaduna state government to do everything humanily possible to ensure her immediate release alongside others victims that were abducted who are still in captivity.
“The president of the Nigeria Association Resident Doctors who addressed journalists about the resolution of the residents doctors in the country about the abduction of one of our colleagues stated that the two weeks ultimatum had been extended to federal government to ensure her immediate release unhurt or risk indefinite industrial action for the sake of their colleague”, Dr Sheriff warned.
In his remarks, Prof Ibrahim Sanusi, the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, (C-MAC) sympathised with the angry doctors and noted that it was a painful and sympathetic situation they have been going through since their colleagues was kidnapped by kidnappers in Kaduna state.
“The agony for our colleagues, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, her families and indeed the entire health sector across the country it is quite sad. The victim must be going through a lot of truma and unfortunately rescue has not come. We will continue to maintain our hopes and pray for her safe released.”
I am Ladi Dapson, a general writer with thewill. I cover Borno and Yobe states respectively.
I based Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
I can be reached via [email protected].
Very high and kind regards!
