Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has strongly condemned the violent invasion of a hospital by gunmen and the subsequent abduction of healthcare workers and patients in Kaduna State’s Birnin Gwari Local Government Area. The alarming attack occurred on Monday at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Layin Dan Auta hamlet, Kuyello Ward.
According to reports, the gunmen stormed the facility, kidnapping two nurses along with an unspecified number of patients. The invasion has sent shockwaves through the community, heightening fears of insecurity in the area, which has been plagued by bandit activities for some time.
Musa Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, released an official statement on Tuesday in which Abbas expressed deep concern over the brazen nature of the attack. He called on security agencies to rise to the challenge, emphasizing the urgent need to rescue the abducted individuals and restore a sense of safety in the region.
“The activities of bandits have become too rampant, especially with the last attack on vulnerable targets like a hospital,” the statement read. “Our security forces need to, as a matter of emergency, go after the abductors and rescue those abducted from the health facility. They must ensure that no Nigerian kidnapped in any part of the country remains in captivity.”
The Speaker’s statement highlights the escalating threat posed by banditry across Nigeria, particularly in northern states like Kaduna. The frequency of attacks, targeting not only individuals but also critical public institutions such as healthcare facilities and schools, has put enormous pressure on the nation’s security apparatus. The abduction of healthcare workers, who play a vital role in delivering essential services to underserved communities, adds a new dimension of concern to the crisis.
Abbas called on security forces to act decisively, stressing that urgent and coordinated efforts were needed to confront the menace of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism. “Our security architecture must adapt to the evolving nature of these threats. These bandits are attacking soft targets, and we cannot allow them to continue unchecked,” Abbas stated.
The Speaker urged the government at all levels to intensify its fight against insecurity, noting that the persistence of such incidents has devastating implications for both the local economy and the morale of the affected communities.
In his statement, Abbas also emphasized the human cost of the ongoing violence, highlighting the psychological trauma faced by the families of the abducted individuals. “Every day that these citizens remain in captivity, their families live in constant agony. We must prioritize their safety and ensure that such attacks do not become a recurring pattern,” he said.
The abduction of healthcare workers also poses a direct threat to the delivery of essential health services, particularly in rural and underserved regions like Birnin Gwari. Abbas pointed out that hospitals and clinics in these areas are already struggling with limited resources, and attacks like these only worsen the situation. “The abduction of nurses and patients is not only a violation of human rights but also a direct attack on our healthcare system. We cannot afford to lose critical health personnel in areas where they are most needed.”
In addition to condemning the attack, Abbas called for a broader strategy to combat the root causes of banditry and criminality across Nigeria. He emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach that goes beyond military interventions, incorporating economic development, education, and social welfare programs to address the underlying issues that fuel violence and lawlessness.
“While we must remain vigilant and relentless in our fight against these criminal elements, we must also work to address the socio-economic conditions that breed insecurity. Poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to education and healthcare create a fertile ground for crime and insurgency. These issues must be tackled head-on if we are to see lasting peace in our communities,” Abbas remarked.
The Speaker reaffirmed his commitment to working with both the executive and legislative arms of government to push for stronger security measures and ensure that adequate resources are allocated to the fight against banditry. He also urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in efforts to root out criminal activities.
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