By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
RESIDENT Doctors in their numbers, under the auspices of Supreme Congress of the Association of Resident Doctors(ARD), Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital ,Sokoto (UDUTH) branch on Monday , staged a peaceful protest, calling on the FG to urgently secure the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola from her captives to avert the intended nationwide strike action.
The protest which attracted the participation of over 30 placards carrying members of the association was staged within the premises of the hospital in procession chanting “All we are saying, free Ganiyat .”
This is happening on the heels of the August 26th dateline of the looming nationwide strike action by the association.
The abduction of the medical Doctor since 8 months back, has been raising concerns from across professionals and patriotic citizens of the country calling for her release.
Speaking at the peaceful protest rally on Monday in Sokoto to express concerns and in solidarity with their colleague, President of the Association Dr. Uzairu Abdullahi said ” We are calling on both state and federal governments to show more compassion and urgency in this matter to prevent a total shutdown of services if she is not rescued by the 26th of August”
He explained that he prolonged detention of Dr. Ganiyat was fast and severely affecting their morale as medical professionals stressing that the federal government must understand and not to ignore the urgent need to secure her release.
However, different messages expressing their concerns were displayed as ” 8 months in criminals den is gruel”, Help find Dr. Ganiyat”, Bring back home Dr.Ganiyat”, Free Dr. Ganiyat Now!!”, We cannot practice under insecurity”, to further drive the campaign for the release of their colleague.
According to the President , Dr. Ganiyat is not only a dedicated medical practitioner but also a mother of five young children, suffering in the hands of criminals and ” We have seen well-known Nigerians rescued within days or weeks, but in the case of this patriotic citizen, Dr. Ganiyat Papoola, it has been eight months, despite ongoing phone conversations between the criminals and certain individuals, the criminals remain untraced.
” We therefore, call on the federal government to take all necessary measures to secure her immediate release and thereby avert a nationwide industrial action”, the association stressed.
Abdullahi however, said ” is not our wish to take this drastic direction, but we are compelled by the disheartening circumstances and the government’s poor response to the issue.”
Similarly, the Clerk of the Association’s Congress , Dr. Faruk Emetumah and a Senior Registrar, Dr Fauziya who is a close friend and associate of the abducted personnel, said they were directly feeling her pains insisting that efforts must be made to secure her release from captivity.
” We are here today to express our deep concerns to the government and all security stakeholders regarding the continued detention of our colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola”,
