The Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria has called for the immediate release of captives currently held by armed groups.

The National Amirah of FOMWAN, Idowu Sani, made the appeal in Abuja on Friday during a prayer session held to celebrate the return of Ganiyat Popoola, kidnapped 10 months ago.

Ms Popoola, who was abducted on December 27, 2023, regained freedom after 10 months in captivity. 

She serves as a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.

She was kidnapped alongside her husband, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, who lives with them.

Ms Sani noted that many kidnapped individuals were sometimes returned dead and prayed for the safe release of those still in captivity.

She said, “We pray that Allah touches the hearts of those responsible for these kidnappings so that peace and security may return to our dear country. As I mentioned before, Ms Ganiyat is like a daughter to us, especially as she is the daughter of one of our Amiras from a local government in Oyo State. When she was in captivity, we were all overwhelmed with sadness and tears. I remember when I heard about the kidnapping of the Catholic medical sisters around the same period; I made a press statement from Saudi Arabia condemning such acts. I had said that we do not want this kind of violence in Nigeria, whether it affects a male or a female child.’’

Also speaking, Amirah of the Federal Capital Territory chapter, Fatima Ndako, expressed concern over the number of people still in captivity. 

She noted the need for collective action to address the challenges and encouraged women to take steps to foster peace in the country.

In her remarks, President of the Islamic Green Tea and member of the National FOMWAN Humanitarian Committee, Bola Usman, highlighted the important role of mothers in raising children. 

She urged mothers, whether biological or guardians, to take responsibility for guiding children in virtuous teachings, regardless of whether they are Christian or Muslim.

Ms Usman further called on parents to instil the teachings of the prophet in children to help counter terrorism and violence as they grow up.

(NAN)