The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a two-week ultimatum to the government for the unconditional release of its member, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped seven months ago at the Senior Staff Quarters of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

NARD said industrial harmony could not be guaranteed if Popoola’s release was not secured within two weeks.

The ultimatum was contained in a communique issued on Tuesday after NARD’s National Executive Council meeting in Katsina.

The NEC meeting, with the theme ‘The Nigerian economy and its impact on residency training: Challenges and opportunities for a robust healthcare system,’ held between July 22 and 27, 2024.

The communique was signed by the association’s President, Dr Dele Abdullahi; Secretary-General, Dr Christopher Anaduaka; and the Public and Social Secretary, Dr John Egbe.

Our correspondent gathered that Popoola was abducted on December 27, 2023, at about 1 am within the Senior Staff Quarters at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

She was abducted with her husband, a Squadron leader, Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew who stays with them, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy.

After several negotiations with the kidnappers, the husband was released on March 8, 2024, but the doctor and Abdul-Mugniy were not released.

It was also gathered that since the incident, the abductors had called severally at will and occasionally to allow some family members to speak to the captives, and they were spoken to last on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to prove that the doctor and her husband’s nephew were still alive.

The NARD expressed its anguish over the situation and called on the government to secure the doctor’s release without further delay.

“The NEC seriously frowned on the alarming increase in insecurities: Kidnapping and assault on doctors, threaten our very existence.

“The NEC observed with despair that our dear colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, and her nephew are still held in captivity for over seven months in inhumane conditions. The NEC decried their failing health while under captivity and the little to no efforts by the security agents to salvage the situation.

“The NEC decried the nonchalant attitude of the Kaduna State government to the travails of our colleague and her nephew.

“The NEC gives an ultimatum of two weeks for the unconditional release of our colleague held captive for seven months, failure of which industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed,” the association said.

NARD also lamented the casualisation of doctors with consequent jeopardy to their welfare, and the government’s failure to implement the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure arrears for all its members.

It said, “The NEC demands immediate implementation of consequential adjustment of minimum wage along with the implementation of the new minimum wage. The NEC demands an expedited resolution of issues on 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 MRTF and all outstanding arrears.

“The NEC appreciates the government for the quick payment of 2024 MRTF albeit noticed that some centres and individuals are yet to receive payment.

“The NEC decries the unresolved outstanding issues of MRTF 2023, 2022, and 2021. The NEC observed with appreciation the promise made by the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, to pay an extra month’s salary every month to clear the 21 months owed salaries arrears of the ABSUTH Staff,” the communique read.