Plateau State has been thrown into fresh confusion following a chilling internal memo issued by the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, warning of a planned abduction of medical personnel by bandits and terrorist groups.
PrimeTimes Nigeria learnt that the alert, which has heightened fears among healthcare workers, was addressed to heads of departments, units, and staff of the hospital.
According to SaharaReporters, the memo, hospital management disclosed that intelligence reports point to an emerging plan by armed groups to kidnap healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff.
The threat is said to be particularly targeted at frontline states such as Plateau, where insecurity has remained a major concern.
Terrorists Seek Forced Medical Support
The statement, signed by the hospital’s Director of Administration, Jina Leah, revealed that the motive behind the planned abductions is to compel kidnapped medical practitioners to treat injured members of the armed groups.
“This development reflects a tactical shift by the group, aimed at sustaining operational capability and reducing mortality among their fighters,” the memo read.
It added, “The trend poses a serious risk to Health Care Workers, especially in the hinterlands.”
The hospital management warned that healthcare workers in rural and hinterland areas face the greatest danger due to limited security presence in such locations.
As a result, all health personnel have been urged to heighten both personal and workplace security measures to avoid falling victim to the planned attacks.
Hospitals Directed To Raise Alert
The memo further directed all hospitals and health centres across Plateau State to immediately sensitise their staff on the looming threat.
“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,” the statement read.
It added, “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.”
While the hospital management did not disclose specific strategies, it noted that security agencies are already making efforts to prevent any potential attacks.
The development comes amid rising insecurity across northern Nigeria, where armed groups have continued to evolve their tactics.
Over the past decade, the region has battled persistent threats from insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter factions, as well as heavily armed bandits operating across states including Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger.
These groups have largely depended on kidnapping for ransom and territorial control, exploiting weak security presence in rural communities.