Some bandits have attacked the Abdulsalami Abubakar General Hospital, Gulu in Niger State, killing one person.
They also abducted many people, including a doctor and a pharmacist.
A medical officer, Nda Mohammed, said the incident happened around 2am with sporadic shootings, thereby causing pandemonium in the community.
Nda said, “The bandits attacked Gulu community in the night and people started scampering for their lives, then they (gunmen) went into the hospital and carried as many people as they could, including the doctor and the pharmacist, and they left.
“Unfortunately, the bandits killed a former medical personnel who lives opposite the hospital. I don’t know his other name but we all call him Ya-Tachi.
“While they carried out their operations, nobody stopped them and no security agent showed up. Not even the local vigilante group members came through”.
Another senior doctor who did not want his name mentioned told our correspondent that, “more than 20 people who were kidnapped in our hospital include members of staff, relatives of patients who are taking care of their sick families.
“The list of staff members kidnapped by the bandits include the Head of Clinical, Dr John, the Head of Hematology, Usman Zabbo. Also, from Medical Laboratory Department, Awaisu Bida, two daughters of the Chief Nursing Officer, wife and daughter of the Chief Pharmacist.
“In fact, as I am talking to you now, we don’t know the exact number of people they abducted.”
While confirming the attacks, the state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, described the incident as an inhuman act.
He said, “The attack and killing of some persons at Gulu General Hospital and the abduction of unspecified number of innocent people, including medical personnel is regrettable. There is the need for swift, intensified security operation in order not to hamper the smooth healthcare delivery in the area.”
Bello lamented the spate of insecurity in the state, saying, “We are deeply concerned about the rise in 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”.
