The Federal Government has urged the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend its seven-day warning strike.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the call on Thursday while visiting the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
Persecondnews recalls that the association had begun a seven-day warning strike on Monday to force the government to initiate negotiations for the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, an ophthalmology registrar at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
Popoola was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew.
Although her husband was freed in
March 2024, Popoola and her nephew are still in captivity.
Alausa said talks are currently underway to guarantee her safe release.
He said:“We are on top of the matter and have been on talking terms with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the issue.
“I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police, and everyone is working hard to see that she is released.”
In a meeting with NARD’s leadership on Monday, the minister attempted to convince them to call off the strike, citing concerns that it would aggravate the situation.
He said: “We don’t believe this warning strike will do anything. All hands are on deck to secure her release.
“For the past two days, we know she is alive, and that’s good news for us as the security is working hard to bring her back alive.”
Alausa noted that the kidnappers’ demands were constantly changing, but he assured that security agencies were making every effort to ensure Dr. Popoola’s safe rescue.
He said: “I appeal to you to call off the strike and let’s keep praying that she comes back home in peace.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of the National Eye Centre association, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, confirmed that the strike was still ongoing.
He added that the medical and dental consultants had also joined the strike, as directed by the national body.
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