Female doctor freed 10-month after abduction by bandits

Kaduna-based ophthalmologist, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola who was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, by bandits has been freed after enduring ten months in captivity.

Popoola, a registrar in the Ophthalmology Department at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was abducted alongside her husband and nephew by armed bandits.

The criminal elements had earlier demanded a whopping N40 million ransom, which was paid after which they released her husband on March 8, 2024, but Dr Popoola and her nephew remained in captivity.

The incident stirred serious public outcry, especially from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which launched a strike action in August to demand her release.

But speaking during a phone interview on Wednesday, NARD President Tope Osundara confirmed the release of Popoola and her nephew.

“Yes, it is true. It happened today (Wednesday). For now, we have insulated her away from people. We only allow very limited access to her,” he said.

Osundara further clarified that no ransom was paid for her release.