Fear grips Plateau hospital over alleged plot to abduct Doctors, health workers

Fear has spread in Plateau State after an internal memo from the management of Plateau State Specialist Hospital warned of a possible plan by armed groups to kidnap medical staff in the state.

Very Nigerian learnt that the notice was sent to heads of departments, units, and all staff of the hospital. In the memo, the management said it received intelligence reports suggesting that bandits and terrorist groups were planning to abduct healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and other support staff. The warning said frontline states like Plateau may be targeted.

The memo, signed by the hospital’s Director of Administration, Jina Leah, also alleged that the armed groups may force kidnapped medical workers to treat their injured members. According to the notice, these injuries are believed to come from gunfire and clashes with security operatives.

The statement read, “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 hospital management warned that the trend poses a grave threat to healthcare workers, especially those operating in rural and hinterland areas where security presence is often limited.

According to the memo, all health workers have been urged to heighten personal and workplace security measures to avoid falling victim to the planned attacks.

It also directed all hospitals and health centres across the state to immediately sensitise their staff on the looming danger.

“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 sensitize 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 management further noted that security agencies are already making efforts to prevent any untoward incidents, although it did not disclose specific measures being taken.

The warning from health authorities in Plateau State reflects a broader pattern of worsening insecurity across northern Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly expanded their tactics beyond traditional attacks on villages and highways.

Over the past decade, the region has faced persistent threats from insurgent movements such as Boko Haram and its splinter factions, alongside heavily armed bandit groups operating across states like Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger.

These groups have relied heavily on kidnapping for ransom and territorial control, exploiting weak security coverage in rural and hinterland communities.

In recent years, analysts have observed a tactical evolution among these armed groups, including the deliberate targeting of professionals such as teachers, aid workers, and increasingly, healthcare personnel.

The abduction of medical workers is seen as part of a strategic effort to sustain insurgent operations, particularly by securing treatment for injured fighters in remote camps where access to formal healthcare is nonexistent.

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