Bandits have reportedly demanded a ransom of N540 million for the release of several victims kidnapped from the General Hospital in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in gunshot injuries to a medical doctor and another individual.
Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire, a medical doctor at the hospital, was injured in the attack, as were several other staff members who were taken by the kidnappers. Yusuf Muhammad Mairuwa, the Assistant Director of Nursing Services and head of the nursing section, is among the kidnapped victims.
A source disclosed that the bandits demanded N270 million for the release of Mairuwa and an additional N270 million for the release of the other hospital staff and employees of a nearby fertilizer factory who were also abducted during the raid.
The attack has sparked widespread outrage, with the Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, strongly condemning the incident. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the governor assured the public that his administration is committed to enhancing the safety and security of healthcare workers across the state.
Governor Radda acknowledged the progress the state had made in reducing similar attacks but emphasized that the recent incident highlighted the need for continued efforts. He assured that the state government would implement additional security measures, including increased personnel presence at healthcare facilities, to safeguard the lives of medical professionals.
“We are restrategising our security approach to ensure that our medical professionals can perform their vital duties without fear. The safety of our healthcare workers and residents remains our paramount concern,” Governor Radda stated.
