Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a medical doctor at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, along with her nephew, was officially handed over to their family by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu today, following a comprehensive security operation that led to their release from captivity.
This handover, conducted in the presence of key health and security officials, initiates the process of rehabilitation and reintegration for Dr. Popoola.
Dr. Popoola and her nephew were freed on Wednesday evening after months in captivity.
The ceremony, attended by representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), provided an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts made by security agencies to secure her release.
Dr. Bala Audu, President of the NMA, expressed appreciation for the NSA’s role and urged security agencies to increase efforts to rescue other Nigerian citizens, including medical professionals, still held by captors.
Dr. Popoola, who serves as a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, was abducted along with her husband, military officer Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi-Abdul-Mugni, who lives with the couple.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N40 million, which led to her husband’s release on March 8, 2024, though Dr. Popoola and her nephew remained in captivity until now.
Dr. Audu and Dr. Popoola’s family expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, NMA, NARD, and the wider medical community for their steadfast support during the difficult period.
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