The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has again called on the Federal Government and security agencies to secure the safe release and return of Dr Ganiyat Popoola, a resident doctor at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, who has been held in captivity for more than nine months.
Popoola was kidnapped on 27 December 2023, alongside her husband and nephew.
While her husband was released after a ransom was paid, Popoola and her nephew have remained in the hands of their captors.
NARD had carried out a series of protests and threats for the government to secure release of the victim.
At the Annual General Meeting of NARD held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the body begged the government to intensify efforts at rescuing the doctor.
This was part of the resolutions reached during the 44 annual AGM and scientific conference held in Abeokuta.
Reading the communique issued at a press conference, the National President of NARD Dr. Dele Abdulahi said “As for Dr. Popoola Ganiyat, I will first of all appreciate the federal government and the apparatus of security. It is not that they are not doing their best to rescue her from the captive of her abductors.
“However, we want to encourage them to do more and we are not going to rest until she is free.”
He also appealed to the state governments on the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act, saying only Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has taken such a step.
“Without regulation, you will agree with me that some governors, medical directors, chief medical directors at several hospitals can just decide to stop the residency in their hospital for reasons known to them,” he said.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
