Nigerian doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have embarked on a nationwide one-week warning strike effective from 12 am on Monday.
The decision to embark on the strike was reached at the end of the Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors held virtually on Sunday.
As contained in the communique issued at the end of the meeting, this nationwide strike aims to appeal to security agencies and the government to be more proactive in securing the release of Ganiyat Popoola, a Kaduna-based medical doctor who remains in the den of her kidnappers eight months after her abduction.
“The NEC noted with dismay the continued detention of our member, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, despite the efforts made so far by the security agencies and the government on her release,” the communique read in part.
“The NEC observed the completion of the two-week deadline given for the release of our abducted colleague from the earlier ENEC meeting held two weeks ago.
“The NEC resolves to go on a one-week nationwide strike warning strike from midnight, 12:00 am on Monday, 26th August, 2024.”
NARD had, on August 14, threatened to embark on a one-week nationwide strike if the doctor was not released by August 26.
In December 2023, Popoola was kidnapped in Kaduna along with her husband and nephew. The abductors released Popoola’s husband after a ransom of N60 million was paid but continued to detain Popoola and her nephew.
In solidarity, medical doctors across the country embarked on peaceful protests to demand the release of the abducted doctor. NARD had also sent numerous letters to security agencies, the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria. Still, all efforts to secure the doctor’s release proved abortive.
Nigeria is battling severe insecurity and doctors in the country are fast becoming targets of abduction. In 2023, Austin Uwumagbe, a Kogi-based doctor, was abducted. FIJ learnt that Austin remains in captivity, with no news of his whereabouts.
