Abducted Kaduna Doctor Regains Freedom After 10-Month Ordeal

Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a medical doctor based in Kaduna, has regained her freedom after being held captive for 10 months. Dr. Popoola, who serves as a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy.

Following months of negotiations, her husband was released on March 8, 2024. However, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remained in captivity, prompting a series of protests by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), who called on the government to secure her release.

After nearly a year of uncertainty, Dr. Popoola and her nephew were finally freed on Wednesday evening. Confirming the news, NARD President Tope Zenith Osundara said in a phone interview, “Yes, it is true. It happened today (Wednesday). For now, we have insulated her away from people, allowing only limited access to her.”

When asked about any ransom payments, Osundara clarified, “No ransom was paid at all.”

This release brings relief to the Nigerian medical community, which has rallied behind Dr. Popoola since her abduction. Her long-awaited freedom also highlights the ongoing risks faced by health professionals in Nigeria and the continued concerns about security across the region.