Suspected gunmen have attacked the General Hospital in Barkin-Ladi local government area of Plateau State, killing the security guard in the process.
The attackers also matcheted a police operative attached to the hospital and three other persons.
The Nation reports Barkin Ladi was a hot spot of attacks by herdsmen but has enjoyed relative peace in the past few months.
It was gathered the gunmen, suspected to be killers herdsmen, stormed the hospital at about 10:00 pm on Monday and shot the security guard at close range.
They also immediately descended on the policeman at the gate and carted away his rifle.
An eyewitness said: “The gunmen suspected to be killer herdsmen arrived at the gate of the hospital at about 10:00 pm. They released several gunshots into the air in order have access into the hospital but in the process, the security guard at the gate who tried to resist them was shot dead while the policeman at the scene was matcheted but escaped.
“Three other persons were also wounded, the three and the wounded policeman are presently receiving treatment at the General Hospital.
“The incident caused panic in the hospital and the vicinity. Men of Operations Safe Haven arrived the scene shortly after the gunmen fled into the bush”
Chairman of Berom Youth Movement, Heipang district in the Local Government Area, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the attack and said gunmen wanted to penetrate the hospital but were prevented from gaining access.
According to Tengwom: “Around 10 pm on Monday, some armed men attacked the General Hospital in Barkin Ladi. The security guard there was killed. A police officer on duty at the hospital was macheted.Although he did not die, his riffle was taken away by the gunmen.”
Tengwong called on the security agents to investigate the attack on the hospital describing it as “strange”.
When contacted, the spokesman of the Police Command in the state, Ubah Ogaba, told The Nation: ” l am yet getting details of the attack on the hospital.
“I will call the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Local Government Area and when I get the details, I will let you know.”
