Bandits have attacked the General Hospital in Kankara local government area of Katsina State, shooting a medical doctor and kidnapping an unknown number of hospital staff.

The attack occurred around 7:00pm on Tuesday night, during which Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire was shot.

According to a resident of the area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the bandits invaded the hospital premises in a coordinated attack, creating panic among staff and patients and shot sporadically.

The resident confirmed that the injured doctor, who was shot in the leg, is currently alive and receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

Dr. Dandashire, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in Kaduna State, who garnered 13 awards including ‘overall best graduating student’ in the Class of 2019, was shot at the General Hospital while attending to patients who came to seek medical intervention.

Katsina State Police Command has confirmed that two people were injured, while three others were kidnapped during a bandit attack that occurred on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the Kankara General Hospital in the state.

A statement issued by the police spokesman, DSP Sadiq Aliyu, said the attack occurred at approximately 8:20pm when armed bandits, wielding AK-47 rifles stormed the hospital, opening fire and causing panic among staff and patients.

The assailants targeted the hospital, shooting sporadically before security forces from the Kankara Divisional Police Headquarters arrived.

The ensuing gunfight between the assailants and police disrupted the attack and forcing the bandits to flee.

However, two individuals including 30-year-old Dr. Murtala Saleh who was shot in the right thigh, and Kamala Suleiman, 20, sustained a gunshot wound to his knee during the incident.

Both victims were promptly taken to a medical facility and are reported to be in stable condition.

However, amidst the chaos, the bandits abducted three people whose identities are being withheld by authorities for security reasons.

Commissioner of Police of the Command, CP Aliyu Musa, has condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless assault on healthcare workers and facilities.

CP Musa has ordered an intensified manhunt for the perpetrators and deployed additional police units to the area to enhance security and aid in the search and rescue efforts.

“Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims and the arrest of the assailants,” said DSP Aliyu.

The police urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity that could aid in apprehending the attackers.

Police said further updates on the investigation and rescue operations will be provided as developments occur.