There was palpable tension as bandits stormed the staff quarters of National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre in Zaria, Kaduna State, Sunday morning and abducted some people, including babies, nursing mothers, and staff members.

Five staff members of the hospital, including female nurses, were abducted. The principal security guard on duty was also among the people abducted.

The bandits arrived in a large number at about 12:30am on July 4 and engaged officers from a nearby police station in a gun battle.

Bullet holes were visible on the fence of the police division and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre.

“Those kidnapped were our staff living at the staff quarters, some were abducted alongside their children. So, about ten people were taken away so far,” a source told DailyTrust.

Confirming the incident, Public Relations Officer of the Medical and Health Union of the Center, Maryam Abdulrazaq, said she compiled six names of those abducted. She said the latest incident made it the third time their staff would be abducted.

“So far, I have six names of the people abducted but I will try to get the remaining four names by Monday God willing. The principal Security guard on duty, two nurses, Joy Yakubu and Odor and her baby, Lab Technician, Christiana, Kasim from Auditorium office were among those kidnapped,” she said.

The bandits were said to have blocked the bridge linking the village with Zaria town, to prevent any reinforcement by the police.

The Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident, saying efforts are on to rescue the victims.

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