The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) in Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, fell victim to a brazen attack by gunmen. The assailants, suspected to be kidnappers, targeted the teaching hospital, a vital institution affiliated with the University of Nigeria, leaving shockwaves within the medical community and beyond.
According to sources within the hospital, the attackers struck around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, targeting a female director and a security officer. Witnesses reported that the director, identified as Ngozi Mbah, who is also a nurse, was trailed to the hospital premises. The assailants, armed and dangerous, opened fire on her SUV vehicle, escalating the situation and causing panic among staff and patients.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a hospital staff member expressed dismay over the lack of security presence around the facility, despite its recognition as an important institution. "We are still in fear," the staff member revealed, emphasizing the urgent need for increased security measures. The staff member promised to provide more details on the attack at a later time.
A video clip circulating on social media purportedly shows the Toyota SUV belonging to the abducted director. In the 26-second clip uploaded on Facebook around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, a voice can be heard in the background confirming the abduction, saying, "One of our nurses just got abducted now. This is her vehicle."
When contacted for a statement, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, stated that he had not yet been briefed on the incident, indicating the ongoing nature of the investigation.
This disturbing incident marks a recurrence for UNTH, as gunmen previously targeted the hospital in November 2023, abducting a resident doctor. The latest attack underscores the pressing need for enhanced security measures within the healthcare institution, raising questions about the safety of both staff and patients in one of the region's prominent teaching hospitals.
