A terrifying internal communication from the Plateau State Specialist Hospital warning of a planned kidnapping of medical staff by terrorist organizations and bandits has caused further confusion in Plateau State.
According to information obtained by Naija News, the notice, which has increased anxiety among medical professionals, was sent to hospital staff, department heads, and units.
SaharaReporters claims that hospital administration revealed that intelligence inputs indicate that armed groups are planning to abduct medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, and support staff.
Frontline states like Plateau, where insecurity has continued to be a major worry, are thought to be especially targeted by the threat.
Terrorists Request Coerced Medical Assistance
The purpose of the planned kidnappings is to force kidnapped medical professionals to treat wounded members of the armed organizations, according to a statement signed by Jina Leah, the hospital’s director of administration.
The document stated, “This development reflects a tactical shift by the group, aimed at sustaining operational capability and reducing mortality among their fighters.”
“The trend poses a serious risk to Health Care Workers, especially in the hinterlands,” the statement continued.
The hospital administration cautioned that because there is less protection in rural and hinterland areas, healthcare personnel there are most at risk.
In order to prevent becoming a victim of the planned attacks, all health staff have been advised to increase their personal and workplace security.
Hospitals Are Instructed to Issue Alerts
Additionally, the message instructed all hospitals and health facilities in Plateau State to promptly educate their employees about the impending danger.
The statement stated, “In light of the aforementioned, health workers must adopt personal and workplace security measures to avoid being victims of these bad elements.”
“While ongoing efforts by security agencies to prevent any untoward developments continue, it is expedient that all Hospital and Health Centers in the State sensitize their workers to be vigilant and report suspicious persons and movements to security agencies for prompt action,” the statement continued.
The hospital administration stated that security authorities are already working to stop any possible attacks, although it did not reveal any specific tactics.
The trend coincides with an increase in the level of instability in northern Nigeria, where armed groups have been refining their strategies.
The region has faced ongoing threats over the last 10 years from heavily armed bandits operating in states like Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger, as well as insurgent groups like Boko Haram and its breakaway divisions.
These organizations have mostly relied on kidnapping for territorial control and extortion, taking advantage of rural towns’ lax security.
