The assailants have issued a ransom demand of N540 million for the release of individuals abducted from a general hospital located in the Kankara local government area of Katsina State.
The assault on the hospital resulted in injuries to a medical doctor and another individual due to gunfire. Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire, a medical doctor, sustained a gunshot injury during the attack that occurred on Tuesday, which also involved the kidnapping of several staff members.
Among the kidnapped individuals is Mr. Yusuf Muhammad Mairuwa, an Assistant Director of Nursing Services and the head of the nursing section at the hospital.
A source informed Circleson Television that the assailants have demanded a ransom of N270 million for the release of the nurse.
The bandits have requested an additional sum of N270 million for the other hospital personnel, as well as for several staff members of a fertilizer factory who were also abducted during the attack.
In response to this incident, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State condemned the assault on the hospital, affirming his administration’s commitment to the safety and security of healthcare workers.
He added that, although the state had made significant strides in reducing occurrences of such attacks, this incident serves as a reminder that the objective has not yet been fully achieved.
The Governor assured that the government would implement enhanced security measures, which would include an increased presence of personnel at healthcare facilities across the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the Governor emphasized, “We are strategizing our security approach to ensure that our medical professionals can perform their essential duties without fear. The safety of our healthcare workers and residents remains our paramount concern.”