In a disturbing incident in Kankara, Katsina State, bandits attacked a local hospital and kidnapped several staff members. The attackers have placed a N540 million ransom on the victims, demanding N270 million for a nurse and another N270 million for the other hospital staff, along with employees from a nearby fertilizer factory who were also taken during the raid.

The hospital attack left Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire, a medical doctor, and one other person injured by gunshots. Among the kidnapped staff members is Yusuf Muhammad Mairuwa, the Assistant Director of Nursing Services at the hospital, who is currently being held by the attackers.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has strongly condemned the attack, expressing his administration’s commitment to improving security measures for healthcare workers in the state. While acknowledging some progress in reducing such incidents, the Governor emphasized that more needs to be done to protect medical professionals. As part of the effort to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and residents, the government plans to increase security personnel at medical facilities across the state.

The Governor’s statement highlights the ongoing focus on the safety of healthcare workers, with reassurances that efforts are being made to prevent future attacks on essential services.