Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be bandits, have attacked the General Hospital in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, shooting a medical doctor and kidnapping five other hospital staff members.
This was disclosed in a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu.
Aliyu stated that the injured individuals were receiving medical attention while the police were actively pursuing the criminals with the aim of apprehending them and rescuing the kidnapped victims.
He added that the incident was currently under investigation.
“On January 14, 2025, at about 2020 hrs, some suspected armed bandits, armed with dangerous weapons such as AK-47 rifles and shooting sporadically, attacked Kankara General Hospital.
“Upon receiving the report, the DPO of Kankara Divisional Police Headquarters promptly mobilized and responded to the scene, where a gun duel ensued, resulting in the foiling of the attack.
“Unfortunately, two persons were shot and injured during the attack. Dr. Murtala Saleh, a 30-year-old doctor at the hospital, was shot and injured in the right thigh, while Kamala Suleiman, a 20-year-old, was injured in the knee. Both victims are currently receiving medical attention and are in stable condition.
“Additionally, three persons were kidnapped by the bandits. Efforts are being made to ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped victims as well as the arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” he said.
According to him, the State Police Commissioner, Aliyu Abubakar Musa, while condemning the attack on healthcare workers and facilities, has ordered the deployment of additional operational assets to the scene for enhanced security and an intensified manhunt of the assailants.