DHQ: How Popoola, Teenage Son Were Rescued after One Year in Captivity

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said that troops deployed to North-west theatre of operations rescued Dr. Ganiyat Popoola and her teenage son, after over one year in terrorist captivity.
A statement by Director Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, revealed that troops through none kinetic efforts secured the release of the abducted Dr. Popoola and her teenage son around 1700hrs of 30th October, 2024.

Buba recalled that the abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola along with her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Abiodun Popoola, and a teenager, Master Folaranmi Abdul Mughiy took place on 27 September 2023.
He noted that the trio were abducted from their home in Doctors’ Quarters at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
Buba said: “Following the abduction, troops subsequently rescued the husband on 8 March 2024. Additionally, troops kinetic operations resulted in the rescue of several other hostages in terrorists captivity in the North-centre theatre of operations.

“All the same, at about 1700hrs of 30 October 2024, troops through none kinetic efforts secured the release of the abducted  Dr Ganiyat Popoola and the above named teenager.”
The director however averred that details of their release by the terrorists remained classified due to ongoing operations.
Buba stated that their release is indicative of overtures by several terrorist leaders and their combatants to surrender to troops.

He further recalled that similar situations is ongoing in the North-east, and it is not uncommon in war situations and a welcomed development.
“Overall, more details about the development will follow in due course. Nevertheless, these terrorists have a window of opportunity to surrender or be killed in the battlefield,” he threatened.
He said that ending insecurity in Nigeria requires collective efforts of everyone and not just military action.