A medical doctor, Dr. Murtala Saleh, was shot by bandits during a violent attack on the Kankara General Hospital in Katsina State on Tuesday night. The bandits, who were armed with AK-47 rifles, shot Dr. Saleh in the right thigh, while another individual, Kamala Suleiman, was injured in the knee. Both victims are receiving medical treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.
According to police spokesman Abubakar Aliyu, officers engaged the bandits in a gun battle during the assault, but three other individuals were kidnapped by the criminals. Efforts are underway to rescue the kidnapped victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, Aliyu Musa, condemned the attack on healthcare workers and facilities, calling it “senseless.” He has ordered the deployment of additional security personnel to the area and an intensified manhunt for the assailants.
The attack highlights the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s North-West, where banditry and kidnappings remain rampant. The authorities have vowed to take further measures to ensure the safety of citizens, especially healthcare workers who continue to face increasing threats in the region.