By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has begun a seven-day warning strike across the country as part of clamour for the release of its kidnapped member, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who has been in captivity for over eight months.
NARD President, Dr Dele Abdullahi, who said this in a statement, noted that the strike would begin Monday, August 26, 2024.
Dr Abdullahi disclosed that the decision was made during the virtual Emergency National Executive Council meeting on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
This came after the release of the 20 medical students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos kidnapped on their way to a convention after more than a week of their abduction in Benue State.
“We confirm the release on Friday of our brothers and sisters and some other Nigerians who have been in captivity in Ntunkon forest, Benue State,” Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said on Saturday.
The development has led NARD to institute this procedure with a warning strike for one week. This means during the duration, there will be no emergency care for patients across the country.
Dr Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted earlier this year, along with her husband and nephew.
While her husband was released in March, Dr Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
A few weeks ago, members of NARD protested in all tertiary hospitals across the nation to demand the immediate release of Dr Popoola.