*Resident Doctors Protest Colleague’s Abduction, Urges Govt To Intervene Or Face Strike August 26

THE Benue State Police Command has confirmed that no fewer than 20 medical students of University of Jos were kidnapped in Otukpo on Thursday evening, August 15.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, August 16, that the incident happened about 5.30 p.m. when the students, who were traveling to Enugu for their annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students convention, were ambushed and kidnapped in Otukpo.

She said investigation into the matter was ongoing, adding that there was no additional information as at press time.

“A report was received that medical students from Jos were on their way from Jos to Enugu and were kidnapped around Otukpo.

“No fewer than 20 students were ambushed and kidnapped around Otukpo. They were coming from Jos,” she said.

The latest incident came at a time the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), called out its members across the country on a peaceful protest to demand the unconditional release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.

The doctors, who trooped out en masse on Friday, August 16, across the country, said the protest was in solidarity with Popoola, who was abducted on December 27, last year at her residence in Kaduna town.

Popoola, a Registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March this year, the medical doctor, who was a breastfeeding mother, and her nephew remain in captivity.

The protesting doctors turned out in large numbers, carrying various placards calling for the unconditional release of their colleague without further delay.

NARD Vice President 1, Dr. Ilori Solomon, called for the immediate and unconditional release of Popoola and her nephew, stressing the critical role healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, play in society, particularly during these challenging times.

He said the association would embark on an industrial action on August 26 if Popoola was not freed by then, calling on all relevant authorities and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the doctor and her nephew.

“Our demand is simple. In a book, they said all animals are equal, but we know some are more equal than others. I just imagine if it were to be the daughter, wife or sister of any of the leaders at the helm of affairs that has been incarcerated for the past seven months, would she still be there in captivity?

“I think this is a country where we advocate equal rights. We need the federal government to stand up for the rights of Popoola, who has been incarcerated for the past seven months, and let her be released immediately.

“Failure to release her come August 26, all the doctors in this country will have to down tools until she is released,” he said.