Lara Adejoro
The Nigerian Medical Association and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have expressed joy and gratitude over the release of Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped 10 months ago.
They also lauded the Federal Government and other agencies involved in ensuring her release.
Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna State, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband, Nurudeen Popoola, a Squadron leader, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, who stays with them.
After several negotiations with the kidnappers, the husband was released on March 8, 2024.
The medical associations made efforts and called on the government to secure her release.
The news of her freedom from captivity spread on Wednesday evening.
Reacting to the release, the NMA President, Prof Bala Audu, said, “We are overwhelmed with joy that she has finally been released. We are grateful to God and everyone who stood with us and ensured her release.
“We are so happy, and we hope to visit her soon. We will go as soon as she and the family are ready to receive us. But, of course, we are overjoyed that she has finally been released.”
Also, the President of NARD, Dr Tope Osundare, appreciated the Federal Government, the NMA, and other agencies for ensuring her release.
“We are full of gratitude and this gratitude goes to the Almighty God and other government agencies.
“I also want to thank President Bola Tinubu for the demonstration of interest in our concerns, especially in our safety and welfare.
“Gratitude also goes to the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof Muhammad Pate, Dr Tunji Alausa, the NMA President, Prof Bala Audu, and the National Security Advisor, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“We appreciate the coordinated efforts in ensuring that we have Dr Popoola out of captivity. But in all, our gratitude goes to all who have been involved in ensuring her release.
“Now that she is released, we need to respect her privacy, and we should ensure that there is limited access to her. We should allow her to begin the process of rehabilitation, and ensure that she can cope with the emotional stress and the other stress factors that have gone into the issue.
“We are planning to pay her a visit once we know that she is stable to entertain visitors.”
Efforts to get the family to speak on the development failed, as they were reported to have relocated from Kaduna.
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