The Association of Resident Doctors at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto staged a peaceful protest on Monday, demanding the immediate release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who was abducted by bandits in December last year.
During the protest, the UDUTH chapter of the union called on both the state and federal governments to ensure Dr. Popoola’s unconditional release within one week.
The doctors warned that they would embark on a nationwide strike if she is not reunited with her family by August 26.
Speaking to journalists after the protest, Dr. Uzairu Abdullahi, the chairman of the UDUTH chapter, strongly criticized the government’s silence on the matter. He said, “On behalf of the Supreme Congress of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) UDUTH, we are here today to express our deep concerns to the government and all security stakeholders regarding the continued detention of our colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.”
Dr. Abdullahi emphasized the impact of the prolonged captivity on the morale of medical professionals, stating, “The federal and state governments must understand that the prolonged captivity of Dr. Ganiyat is severely affecting our morale as medical professionals. Dr. Ganiyat is not only a dedicated medical practitioner but also a mother of five young children, suffering in the hands of criminals.”
He urged the government to act swiftly, saying, “We earnestly appeal to the federal government to take all necessary measures to secure her immediate release and thereby avert a nationwide industrial action. We have seen well-known Nigerians rescued within days or weeks, but in the case of this patriotic citizen, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, it has been eight months, with ongoing phone conversations between the criminals and certain individuals. Despite this, the criminals remain untraced.”
The chairman further warned that the doctors might have to take drastic measures if the situation remains unresolved. He stated, “We are calling on both state and federal governments to show more compassion and urgency in this matter to prevent a total shutdown of services if she is not rescued by the 26th of August. It is not our wish to take this drastic direction, but we are compelled by the disheartening circumstances and the government’s poor response to this issue.”
He added, “We urge the government to act with the same swiftness and commitment that has been shown to other high-profile cases across the nation.”
Also speaking during the protest, Dr. Fauziyat Abdullah, a personal friend of Dr. Popoola, made an emotional plea to the federal government and security agencies to ensure the safe return of her friend and colleague. She described Dr. Ganiyat as “a dedicated medical doctor and a loving mother to her children, who always put the interests of her patients first in the course of her duty.”
The doctors’ protest highlights their growing frustration and concern for their colleague, as well as the potential impact on healthcare services in Nigeria if their demands are not met.
