DOCTORS in Nigerian public hospitals have initiated a seven-day nationwide strike to demand the release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, who has been held by kidnappers for eight months. The strike, which began with a strong resolve, has seen doctors halting all medical services, including emergency care, across the country.
The abduction of Dr. Popoola
Dr. Popoola, an ophthalmologist at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was abducted from her home on December 27, 2022. The kidnappers also took her husband and niece during the late-night raid. While her husband was released in March after a ransom was reportedly paid, Dr. Popoola and her niece remain in captivity.
The kidnappers have demanded 40 million naira (about $25,000) for their release. Despite a law criminalising ransom payments, such demands continue to be met by desperate families hoping to free their loved ones. However, no one has yet been convicted under the law, which mandates a minimum 15-year prison sentence for those who pay ransoms.
Doctors take a stand
The doctors, frustrated by the lack of progress in securing Dr. Popoola’s release, have decided to take a firm stand. Dr. Taiwo Shittu of Lagos University Teaching Hospital emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, ‘What happened to Dr. Popoola could happen to anyone. We want the authorities to act fast; this has dragged on for too long.’
The doctors’ association recently held a march in public hospitals across Nigeria, issuing the government a two-week ultimatum to secure the ‘unconditional release’ of Dr. Popoola. With no response from the government, the doctors decided to escalate their actions by initiating the strike.
The growing threat of kidnappings
Kidnapping for ransom has become a widespread issue in Nigeria, particularly in the north-western regions. Criminal gangs have increasingly turned to abductions as a lucrative means of making money. The National Eye Centre in Kaduna, where Dr. Popoola works, is one of the largest eye hospitals in the country, but the location of its staff accommodation on the outskirts of the city makes it vulnerable to such attacks.
This latest abduction has intensified concerns among medical professionals and the public about the safety of health workers and the effectiveness of security agencies in dealing with kidnappings. The doctors’ association has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the security agencies, accusing them of not doing enough to secure Dr. Popoola’s release.
Government’s silence and doctors’ resolve
As the strike continues, the Nigerian government has yet to issue a statement on the situation. The president of the doctors’ association, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, revealed that the family initially attempted to resolve the situation through diplomatic means but has now authorised the association to explore other options.
The strike highlights the growing frustration among Nigerian doctors and the broader public over the rising wave of kidnappings and the apparent lack of effective action by the authorities. The outcome of this strike could have significant implications for the government’s handling of security issues and its relationship with healthcare professionals.
The nationwide strike by Nigerian doctors, sparked by the abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, underscores the critical state of insecurity in the country. As the medical community takes a stand, the focus now shifts to whether the government will take decisive action to ensure the safe release of Dr. Popoola and address the broader issue of rampant kidnappings.
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