After a thorough security debriefing, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu today officially handed over Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a doctor at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, and her nephew to their family. The handover was conducted in the presence of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) President, Dr. Bala Audu, for their rehabilitation and reintegration.
The ceremony included representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, NMA, and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
Security personnel highlighted their efforts to secure Dr. Ganiyat’s release and discussed related operations, including the recent rescue of kidnapped medical students.
Dr. Audu expressed gratitude to the security agencies under the NSA’s leadership and urged them to intensify efforts to rescue other Nigerians, including medical professionals, who are still in captivity.
The family thanked the Federal Government, NMA, NARD, and all Nigerian doctors for their steadfast support during this difficult period.
Dr. Popoola, a Registrar in the Ophthalmology Department at the National Eye Centre, was abducted along with her husband, military officer Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugni, who resides with them.
The kidnappers initially demanded an enormous ransom of N40 million, which was paid, leading to the release of Dr. Popoola’s husband on March 8, 2024. However, they continued to hold Dr. Popoola and her nephew.
The two were finally freed on Wednesday evening, marking the end of their harrowing ordeal in captivity.