Nurses and midwives in Katsina State have issued a warning about withdrawing their services from hospitals in high-risk areas due to the persistent attacks and abductions targeting their members.
At a press conference, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) gave the state government until midnight on January 30 to meet their demands or face a potential strike. According to the association’s chairman, Nura Mu’azu, the most affected areas include Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Jibia, Dutsinma, Musawa, Malumfashi, Funtua, and Batagrawa.
Mu’azu highlighted that several members have either been killed, seriously injured, or abducted while working in these locations. While acknowledging the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity, he emphasized the need for stronger measures to protect hospitals and healthcare professionals from violent attacks.
Meanwhile, concerns over escalating insecurity extend beyond Katsina. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised alarms over worsening safety conditions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly following a recent abduction in Kubwa.
In the early hours of Monday, suspected bandits stormed the residence of Mr. Adefija Michael Akinropo, abducting him, his wife, son, and elder brother. They also attacked a nearby poultry farm, kidnapping one man and injuring his wife. According to HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, eyewitnesses reported that over 30 heavily armed gunmen carried out the operation.
Onwubiko called on residents of the FCT to petition President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize security in the capital. He also criticized the FCT Police Command for its silence on the incident, describing it as a sign of poor urgency and ineffective crisis management.
Amid these rising security concerns, efforts are being made to tackle regional instability. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum (LCBGF) is intensifying its approach to addressing insecurity through humanitarian and developmental strategies.
Speaking ahead of a three-day summit in Maiduguri, the forum’s chairman, Baba Mallam Wali, reiterated its commitment to fostering regional cooperation and long-term stability. “The forum will bring together governors, policymakers, development partners, and stakeholders, including 1,000 participants, to strategize on overcoming challenges in the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) member countries,” he stated.
As insecurity continues to pose threats to healthcare workers and residents alike, the pressure is mounting on the government to take decisive actions to ensure safety and stability across the country.
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