At least two persons have been shot dead, while others were abducted after armed bandits invaded the Abdulsalami Abubakar General Hospital, Gulu in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, on Monday night.
Eye witnesses recounted that among those abducted were a medical doctor, a pharmacist, nurses, as well as patients and their relations, even as identities of those killed have not been ascertained.
Other staff of the hospital kidnapped include, the Head, Clinical Services, simply identified as Dr. John, Head of Hematology, Usman Zabbo, and a staff member of medical lab, Awaisu Bida.
The wife of the Head of Nursing Services and his daughters, wife and a daughter of the Chief Pharmacist, and many other relations of the patients were also taken.
There were speculations that the operation was a targeted attack to get health personnel to treat some of the injured bandits in the forest.
One of the locals who didn’t want his name in print, alleged that the bandits in their numbers, came into Gulu community around 2:30am to 3am and in the process, raided General Hospital.
He confirmed the killing of two people whose houses were directly opposite the hospital.
Meanwhile, the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has condemned the attack and tasked the Joint Security Taskforce in the state to urgently put an end to the incessant armed banditry, kidnappings and wanton attacks on several communities at Gulu in Lapai Local Government Area.
The Governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje described the latest attack and killing as regrettable.
“The recent attack of some persons at Gulu General Hospital and the abduction of an unspecified number of innocent people including Medical Personnel as callous, inhuman and condemnable.
“The targeted attack on the Hospital is regrettable and there is the need for swift, intensified security operation in order not to hamper the smooth healthcare delivery in the area.
“We are deeply concerned about the recent rise in armed banditry and kidnappings in Gulu communities when we are rejoicing and consolidating in the successes so far recorded in other affected areas, but as a responsible government we will not rest on our oars until we triumph over evil”, the Governor assured.
The Governor announced that the state government is already collaborating and supporting the Joint Security Apparatus in its drive to launch a sporadically coordinated onslaught in order to overcome the bandits and sanitize the area as soon as possible just as he assured families affected that government will do everything humanly possible to secure the release of those abducted and also ensure that all those who fled during the attacks return safely to their homes.
