The Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State, has appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.
In a show of solidarity, the doctors organised a walk around the Akammiri permanent site of the teaching hospital, visiting various wards before concluding with a prayer session at the main gate.
During the walk, they carried placards with messages such as “Free Ganiyat From Kidnappers,” “Save Ganiyat,” and “Help Save Ganiyat,” calling attention to their colleague’s plight.
News About Nigeria reported that Dr. Ganiyat Popoola was abducted seven months ago from the Senior Staff Quarters of the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, Kaduna State.
Speaking to journalists after the solidarity walk on Tuesday, the President of ARD-NAUTH, Dr. Chiemezie Agbanu, represented by Dr. Adeyemo Adebiyi, Chairman of the ARD-NAUTH Strategy and Mobilisation Committee, said securing Dr. Popoola’s release is urgent.
He also called for an end to the increasing kidnappings of medical professionals.
“The solidarity walk is to demand the unconditional release of our colleague, Dr. Ganiyat, who was kidnapped at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna and has been held in captivity for over seven months,” said Dr. Agbanu.
“It appears that doctors are now an endangered species. Once doctors are living in this type of danger, it means the health sector is at risk of collapse, and the brain drain will only worsen.”
Dr. Onyinye Ifezue, 1st Vice President of ARD-NAUTH, expressed concern for the mental, psychological, and physical well-being of Dr. Popoola, who has been in the hands of her captors for nearly eight months.
She emphasised the additional vulnerabilities faced by Dr. Popoola as a woman and pleaded for her release.
“We are deeply concerned because we are doctors, and the victim is a woman. Only God knows what she must be enduring at the hands of her kidnappers,” Dr. Ifezue said.
“If she were a politician, more would have been done to rescue her. She has likely been subjected to physical violation and psychological torture as a result of being separated from her family.”
Dr. Nnaemeka Sibeudu, 2nd Vice President of ARD-NAUTH, condemned the kidnapping of any Nigerian, regardless of their profession, as a violation of their right to freedom of movement.
He also commended those involved in the efforts to secure Dr. Popoola’s release but questioned why she remained in captivity.
“We call on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, security agencies, and state governors to ensure that Ganiyat is released immediately and unconditionally,” Dr. Sibeudu stated.
