By Omolade Adegbuyi
A medical Doctor of Yoruba extraction abuducted in Kaduna has been released.
Dr Ganiyat was kidnapped with her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy.
Ganiyat Popoola, who was abducted on December 27, 2023.
She has been held in captivity by armed men. Cases of kidnapping has forced many professionals to relocated from Northern Nigeria.
Kaduna State has been a hotbed of violent kidnapping spanning more than one decade.
Medical workers have long been calling for the release of Dr Ganiyat Popoola.
She is a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna State.
Abdul-Mugniy was staying with the couple at the time of the incidence.
He husband was earlier released on March 8, 2024, but the doctor and Abdul-Mugniy were held by the armed men.
In August this year the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, had petitioned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun drawing the attention to the kidnap.
However, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Tope Osundara said Popoola and her nephew have been released.
He said “Yes, it is true. It happened today (Wednesday). For now, we have insulated her from the public, allowing only limited access to her,” Osundara stated.
He said no ransom was paid to secure her release. But this is doubtful. Kidnappers often warn released victims not to disclose to the public when ransome was paid.
“No ransom was paid at all,” he said.
