The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has handed over Dr Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola, a Nigerian doctor abducted in Kaduna State ten months ago, to her family.
Ribadu also reunited Abdulmugniy Folaranmi, a 16-year-old 100-level student of the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, with his family.
According to DAILY POST reports, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, a Nigerian Air Force officer, his wife, Dr. Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola, and her nephew, Abdulmugniy Folaranmi, were abducted on December 27, 2023.
They were kidnapped from their residence at the National Eye Centre Quarters in Mando, Kaduna.
The trio are indigenes of Iseyin in the Oke Ogun geopolitical zone of Oyo State.
Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola was released in March this year after spending ten weeks in captivity.
JomogNews learned that Dr. Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola and Abdulmugniy Folaranmi were eventually released by their captors on Wednesday, following ten months in captivity. They have now been handed over to their family by Ribadu.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Mannir Bature, confirmed the development in a statement obtained by newsmen on Saturday.
In the statement, Bature noted that the duo were handed over to their family in the presence of NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, for rehabilitation and reintegration.
He added that representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) were present at the event.
Dr Audu expressed gratitude to the security agencies under Ribadu’s leadership, stating, “Following a comprehensive security debriefing, the National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, today handed over Dr. Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew to her family in the presence of NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, for rehabilitation and reintegration.
“The handover ceremony, which included representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), provided an opportunity for security personnel to highlight the efforts made to secure Dr Ganiyat’s release. They also discussed related operations, including the recent rescue of abducted medical students.
“In his remarks, Dr Audu expressed his gratitude to the security agencies under the leadership of the NSA for their efforts, while urging them to intensify actions to ensure the rescue of other Nigerians, including medical doctors, who remain in captivity.
“The family extended their appreciation to the Federal Government, NMA, NARD, and all Nigerian doctors for their unwavering support during this challenging time.”
