Nigerian Doctors’ strike over kidnapped colleague enters day 2

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National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in public hospitals seven-day nationwide strike demanding the release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been in kidnappers den for over eight months, enters second on Tuesday.

Kidnapped Dr. Ganiyat Popoola of National Eye Centre, Kaduna
Dr. Ganiyat Popoola

Popoola, a mother of five was kidnapped in official quarters at National Eye Centre, Mahuta Kaduna in the night of 27 December alongside her husband and a nephew.

While her husband was released in March after the payment of the initial demanded ransom, the kidnappers are still holding the ophthalmologist and her nephew.

President of NARD, Dr Dele Abdullahi said it has been eight months of agony for her, her family, and her colleagues. The life of doctors should matter to Nigerians. He added that if nothing changes, they would declare an indefinite strike.

Her colleague Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Okpanaki said doctors were demoralised and terrified. In a country where medical workers are leaving, those that have chosen to stay should be protected.

Speaking earlier to Journalists, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Shika, Zaria, NARD President, Doctor Suleiman Adah said at the time Dr Popoola was kidnapped, she was still breast-feeding a four month old child.

Adah said the kidnappers have continued to extort the family by keep demanding for more money, foodstuff and other materials.

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