Bandits Attack General Hospital in Katsina, Kidnap Staff, Shoot Medical Doctor

Bandits launched a violent attack on the General Hospital in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State on Tuesday night, shooting a medical doctor and kidnapping an unknown number of hospital staff.

The incident took place around 7:00 pm, when a group of armed assailants stormed the hospital premises in a coordinated attack. According to a local resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the attackers fired shots indiscriminately, causing panic among both staff and patients.

During the attack, Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire, a respected medical doctor who was attending to patients at the time, was shot in the leg. Despite the injury, the doctor is said to be alive and receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

Dr. Dandashire, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in Kaduna State, had been recognized for his academic excellence, having earned 13 awards, including the prestigious title of “Overall Best Graduating Student” in the Class of 2019.

The assailants also abducted several staff members, though the exact number of those taken is still unclear. The attack has left the local community and hospital staff in shock and heightened fears of further incidents.

The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the attack. Police spokesperson Sadiq Abubakar assured that an investigation into the incident is underway, and more details would be provided as soon as they become available. The police are expected to increase security in the area as they continue their efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and rescue the kidnapped hospital workers.

This attack is the latest in a series of criminal activities by armed bandits in the northern states of Nigeria, which has been marked by increasing violence targeting civilians, security personnel, and vital institutions such as schools and hospitals. The incident has once again raised concerns about the growing insecurity in the region and the need for more robust measures to protect lives and properties.