In a shocking turn of events, bandits who attacked a General Hospital in Kankara, Katsina State, have demanded a huge ransom of N540 million for the release of several kidnapped staff members.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, gunmen stormed the hospital, leaving Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire, a medical doctor, and one other person injured by gunshots. Along with the doctor, Yusuf Muhammad Mairuwa, an Assistant Director of Nursing Services, was among those abducted.
Sources told DAILY POST that the kidnappers have split the ransom demand into two, with N270 million requested for Mairuwa’s release, and another N270 million for the remaining hospital staff, as well as some workers from a nearby fertilizer factory who were also taken during the attack.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State quickly condemned the hospital assault, reaffirming his commitment to improving the safety of healthcare workers in the state.
“We have made progress in reducing such attacks, but this incident reminds us that our work is not done,” the governor said. “We will be strengthening security measures, including more personnel at healthcare facilities to protect our medical professionals.”
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Governor Radda emphasized that the safety of healthcare workers and residents is the top priority. “We are revising our security strategy to ensure that medical professionals can carry out their important work without fear,” he added.
