Nigerian government urges resident doctors to end strike as rescue efforts for kidnapped colleagues intensify

The Federal Government has made a passionate appeal to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to call off their seven-day warning strike, as negotiations to free their abducted colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, have reached a critical stage.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the appeal on Thursday during a visit to the National Eye Center in Kaduna, to emphasize the government’s commitment to ensuring Popoola’s safe return.

Alausa revealed that high-level discussions were underway, involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Commissioner of Police, to secure Popoola’s release. He expressed optimism, saying, “We are handling the matter…everyone is working hard to ensure that he is released.

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“We are not sure this warning will bear fruit. All parties are ready to release him.

“For the last two days, we knew he was alive and that was good news for us because the security forces were working hard to bring him back alive,” he said.

The minister had previously met with NARD leaders on Monday, urging them to call off the strike, which he believed would only worsen the situation.

He assured that “everyone is ready” to rescue Popoola, citing positive developments in the past two days, including confirmation that he is alive.

The government’s plea comes as the national health care system faces potential disruption from a resident doctors’ strike, amid concerns for Popoola’s safety and well-being.

Nigerian government urges resident doctors to call off strike as rescue efforts for kidnapped colleague intensify first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.