Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, has been released after spending 10 months in captivity.
Dr. Popoola, her husband Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy were abducted on December 27, 2023. Although her husband was freed in March 2024, Dr. Popoola and Abdul-Mugniy remained in the kidnappers’ custody until their release on October 30, 2024.
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Confirming her release, Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) President, Tope Osundara, stated, “Yes, it is true. It happened today (Wednesday). For now, we have insulated her from the public, allowing only limited access to her.” Osundara further emphasized that no ransom was paid to secure their freedom.
Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, shared that while he could not yet confirm the release, he promised to verify the information.
Throughout Dr. Popoola’s captivity, the medical community called for urgent government intervention. NARD launched the “#BringBackDrGaniyat” campaign, advocating for her safe return. The medical fraternity’s plea intensified in August when doctors from the National Hospital in Abuja held a peaceful protest, carrying placards with messages like, “Free Dr Ganiyat Popoola,” and “Rescue Dr Ganiyat now.”
The protests extended to Ogun State, where resident doctors from Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, threatened an indefinite strike if Dr. Popoola’s release was not secured by August 26, 2024. “Our demand is simple: we want the government to intervene and secure our colleague, Dr. Popoola’s, release from captivity,” said the hospital’s ARD President, Dr. Lanre-Aremo Babajide.
In an official response, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, wrote to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging their immediate involvement in the case.
Since her abduction, kidnappers allowed occasional communication between Dr. Popoola and her family, the last contact reportedly occurring in July.
