UCH resident doctors stage peaceful protest

Resident doctors at University College Hospital, Ibadan, staged a peaceful protest on Friday to demand the immediate release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, and her nephew, Abdul-Mugniy Folaranmi.

Supreme News reports that Popoola, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Opthalmology, National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on Dec. 27, 2023 alongside her husband and nephew.

While her husband was released in March, Ganiyat and her nephew have since remained in captivity.

Supreme News also reports that the National Association of Resident Doctors had threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if their abducted colleague was not released by Aug. 26.

The UCH resident doctors carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “Seven months and counting in captivity is unacceptable," “It is not a crime to be a doctor,” and “#Bring back our Doctor Ganiyat now,” among others.

They threatened that the association might be forced to embark on a strike if the government failed to secure Popoola’s release within the next week.

President of ARD, UCH branch, Dr John Oladapo, had earlier at a news conference condemned the abduction of one of their members.

“The abduction of Popoola has not only shattered her immediate family but also left a gaping hole in the medical community and the countless lives she has touched through her work.

“Her continued absence is a severe loss to the patients who rely on her expertise, to us, her colleagues who value her professionalism and to the nation at large, which benefits from her services.

“Popoola and her nephew have been enduring unimaginable physical and psychological trauma in continued captivity.

“This incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing insecurity in our nation, which spares neither the young nor the old.

“We are here to appeal that the registrar and her nephew be released immediately and unconditionally. Their continued detention is inhumane, unjust and unacceptable,” he said.

Oladapo urged the Federal Government to direct security agencies and other relevant authorities to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of the victims.

He also appealed to kidnappers to release their victims without further delay, saying that they should recognise the profound humanitarian and ethical implications of their continued stay in captivity.

“We also appeal to the general public to join us in this call and stand together against such acts of terror and violence. Let us amplify our voices and show solidarity with the families affected.

“The essence of our humanity lies in our collective responsibility to protect one another.

“The victim has spent her life caring for others. Now, it is our turn to care for her and her nephew,” he said.