There is growing concern in Plateau State following an internal memo from the Plateau State Specialist Hospital warning of a planned abduction of medical personnel by armed groups.
In a notice addressed to heads of departments, units, and staff, the hospital management disclosed that intelligence reports point to an emerging plot by bandits and террорист groups to kidnap healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, particularly in frontline states.
The statement, signed by the hospital’s Director of Administration, Jina Leah, revealed that the abductors intend to force kidnapped medical practitioners to treat injured members of their groups, especially those with gunshot wounds sustained during clashes with security forces.
“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 memo stated.
The management warned that the threat is particularly severe for health workers in rural and hard-to-reach areas where security presence is limited. It urged all medical personnel to heighten both personal and workplace security measures.
“In view of the foregoing, there is a need for health workers to adopt personal and workplace security measures to avoid being victims of these bad elements.
“Also, it is expedient that all Hospital and Health Centers in the State sensitise their workers to be vigilant and report suspicious persons and movements to security agencies for prompt action, while ongoing efforts by security agencies to avert any untoward developments continue,” the statement added.
Hospitals and health centres across the state have also been directed to immediately sensitise their staff on the looming threat.
Although the hospital did not disclose specific security measures in place, it noted that relevant agencies are working to prevent any attacks.
The warning reflects a broader pattern of worsening insecurity across northern Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly evolved their tactics beyond attacks on communities and highways to more targeted operations.
For years, insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter factions, alongside heavily armed bandit networks, have operated across states including Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger, relying on kidnapping for ransom and territorial control, particularly in areas with weak security coverage.
