The Association of Resident Doctors of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos, (ARD-NOHIL) on Monday organised a solidarity walk over the abduction of Ganiyat Popoola, a resident doctor at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, who was abducted eight months ago.
The solidarity protest held under the auspices of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) began last week in other tertiary institutions in the country.
On Wednesday, NARD decided to hold a nationwide protest march to demand the release of Ms Popoola and threatened a nationwide strike if she was not released by 26 August.
Ms. Popoola was abducted on 27 December 2023 along with her husband and nephew.
Although her husband was released after a ransom was paid, Ms Popoola and her nephew are reportedly still in captivity.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of N60 million to release the doctor's husband.
Protest in Lagos
In Lagos State, the protest was observed by the ARDs of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos and Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos.
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Speaking during the walkout at ARD Igbobi, ARD-NOHIL Chairman Edeh Ernest called on the government and security agencies to expedite efforts to ensure the safe return of Mrs Popoola, adding that “failure of which will not guarantee industrial harmony.”
“We are gathered here not only to honour our abducted colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, but also to send a clear message that we have not forgotten her and we will not rest until she is safely returned,” he said.
“This walk represents more than just a physical journey – it symbolizes our unwavering commitment to justice, to protecting our community, and to the values that Dr. Popoola stood for.
“We demand the intervention of the Government to secure their immediate release. We also call on the security agencies to intensify their search and ensure their release as soon as possible.”
Representing the Director General of the Igbobi National Orthopaedic Hospital, Mustapha Alimi, the Head of Clinical Service, Lawal Wakeel, also called on the government to ensure security in health facilities and border communities.
Mr Wakeel said: “We are all doctors. It could be any one of us, but our prayer is that God be with her and the family, and that at the end of the day, she is discharged alive and strong.
“We ask the government to help us in this fight by intensifying efforts to secure the release of our comrade. We also ask the government to secure the country’s health centres and borders to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens.”
He added that the management of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi fully supports the solidarity walk and “sympathizes with all doctors in Nigeria at this time and hopes that the government will do the needful for their immediate release.”
Insecurity affects health workers
Nigeria has been grappling with armed conflicts such as terrorism and banditry among other problems.
The Health Protection in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) identified 19 incidents of violence against health workers in Nigeria in 2023.
It also identified 43 incidents in 2022, compared to 56 in 2021, in which 37 health workers were kidnapped, seven others were killed and health supplies were looted from pharmacies and health centres.
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SHCC reported that between 2016 and 2020, 4,094 attacks and threats against healthcare in conflict zones around the world were reported.
During this period, at least 1,524 health workers were injured, 681 were killed and 401 were kidnapped.