Bandits abduct two nurses, unspecified number of patients in Kaduna hospital
Bandits on Monday attacked a Primary Healthcare Centre located in Kuyello, within the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area o in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The attack occurred on a Monday moring around 9:00 AM.
The bandits initially targeted a nearby Government Day Secondary School with the intention of abducting students. However, upon discovering that the school was empty, they redirected their efforts to the healthcare facility.
According to a local vigilante leader Musa Alhassan, the assailants entered the healthcare centre armed with guns and machetes. They forcibly took two female nurses hostage along with an unspecified number of patients present at the time.
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of chaos as the bandits dragged individuals out of the hospital, leaving the community in fear and panic.
READ ALSO: Bandits kill 5, injure 7 in new Kaduna attacks
The exact number of patients abducted remains unclear, as many had already left before or during the attack. The local community expressed deep concern over this incident and similar attacks that have plagued Kaduna State, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region.
Kaduna State has been facing significant security issues due to frequent attacks by bandits who engage in kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes. These incidents have led to widespread fear among residents, prompting many to relocate from vulnerable areas to seek safety within urban centers. The state police command has been criticized for its slow response to such incidents, as evidenced by their lack of immediate comment following this latest attack.
The abduction is part of a troubling trend in which healthcare facilities are increasingly becoming targets for criminal activities in Nigeria. The situation underscores an urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect both communities and essential services like hospitals from such violent acts.
