The family of Kaduna State-based ophthalmologist Ganiya Olawale-Popoola, her husband; Nurudeen Popola, and their guest, AbdulMugniy Folaranmi, have appealed to the government to help them in the payment of a N100 million ransom to secure their release, News About Nigeria reports.
The couple and their guest were abducted at the National Eye Centre Quarters located in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and they have been in the kidnappers camp for more than a month.
A source from the family, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, appealed to the Federal Government to help them secure the release of the couple and their guest, stating that the family will not be able to raise N100 million.
“We are appealing as a family to the Nigerian government to help us secure the release of our family members. It has been over a month since they were abducted, and we are exhausted as a family. There is no way we can raise the N100 million ransom the kidnappers are demanding,” the source pleaded.
The source further disclosed that all efforts to get a reduction in the ransom have proved abortive, adding that the family had pleaded to pay N20 million, but the kidnappers insist on N100 million.
The source stated that every member of the family was in a state of confusion following the threats of the kidnappers to kill the victims if the money was not paid.
The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, stated on Monday that the police are making efforts to secure the release of all the victims, adding that the command will make sure there are no casualties and all victims are rescued safely.
Recall that the gunmen allegedly broke into the ophthalmologist’s residence on December 27, 2023, around 1 a.m. and kidnapped the doctor, her Air Force officer husband, who is a Squadron Leader, and their 16-year-old guest.
