The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced a seven-day warning strike starting Monday, August 26, 2024, in protest against the abduction of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.

Dr Popoola was kidnapped nearly eight months ago.

Dr. Dele Abdullahi, NARD President, explained that the strike which was decided during an Emergency National Executive Council meeting, will be total, with no concessions or emergency care provided.

He hoped that the action would pressure the government to take urgent action to secure the release of Dr Popoola.

Dr. Popoola, a Senior Registrar in Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, her husband and nephew were abducted on December 27, 2023. While her husband was released in March, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.

In response to this same matter, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, had written to the National Security Adviser and the Inspector-General of Police, urging them to expedite efforts to rescue Dr. Popoola and prevent further unrest in the health sector.

The National body of the Association had initially given the Federal Government two weeks to secure the release of Dr Popoola or face industrial action in the health sector.

On Monday August 19, Doctors in a peaceful protest across the country had demanded the immediate release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.

Writing by Annabel Nwachukwu

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