Doctors from the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos, have joined the nationwide solidarity march organized by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to demand the release of Dr. Popoola Ganiyat, who has been in captivity for over seven months. Dr. Ganiyat, a Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 26, 2023, along with her husband and nephew.
During the protest on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the doctors carried placards with messages urging the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure her release. Dr. Edeh Ernest, the President of ARD, expressed deep concern over the prolonged abduction and called for immediate government intervention. He emphasized that the situation is a matter of justice and the protection of the medical community, warning that if Dr. Ganiyat is not released by August 26, 2024, NARD may embark on industrial action.
The Medical Director of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Dr. Mustapha Alimi, represented by Dr. Lawal Wakeel, voiced the hospital’s support for the protest and expressed hope that Dr. Ganiyat would be released soon.
The protest highlights the growing frustration and concern among medical professionals in Nigeria regarding the safety and security of their colleagues.