The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has initiated a seven-day warning strike.
The nationwide industrial action by the Doctors association is aimed at advocating for the release of Dr Ganiyat Popoola, a member of NARD who has been held captive for over eight months.
NARD President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, announced this in a statement made available to newsmen, indicating that the strike will commence on Monday, August 26, 2024, at midnight.
Abdullahi revealed that the decision was reached during a virtual Emergency National Executive Council meeting convened on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
He emphasized that the warning strike would be comprehensive, with no emergency services provided during this period.
Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, was abducted nearly eight months ago alongside her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March, both Popoola and her nephew continue to be held captive.
Recently, members of NARD staged protests in all tertiary hospitals across the country, demanding the immediate release of Dr Popoola.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has stated that its work to ensure the release of 20 abducted student doctors will not be published online for security reasons.
The Force Headquarters Public Relations Officer, Olumuwiya Adejobi, said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, will visit the Benue Command as part of the police effort to ensure the students are released.
Adejobi stated that the police remain committed to ensuring the 19 student doctors and one medical doctor kidnapped along the Oturkpo area of Benue State are released unhurt.
In a statement issued last week, Adejobi added that the rescue operation of such a high number of kidnap is tactical.
He appealed to citizens demanding updates online to support the police.
He said, “The police has made a press statement on the matter. I don’t think we should be discussing or updating the public on our efforts and strategies emplaced online. That’s not necessarily.
“The aim is to rescue them unhurt. And one thing we need to know is that the rescue operation of people with that number must be tactical for many reasons.
“We update those who are in contact with us, and those involved in the rescue operation. Everyone is concerned about it, reason more men and assets have been deployed to Benue. The IGP is in contact with the command, and he will meet the CP Benue tomorrow (Monday).”
Bandits kidnapped 19 student doctors and one medical doctor on Thursday on their way to Enugu for their Federation of Medical and Dental Students conference.
