A medical doctor while on duty on Tuesday night was shot by rampaging bandits who invaded the Kankara General Hospital in Katsina State, North-West Nigeria.

The marauders shot the doctor, Murtala Saleh, in the right thigh, while one Kamala Suleiman, was injured on the knee.

The police said both victims are currently receiving medical attention and are in stable condition.

Police spokesman Abubakar Aliyu said policemen in the area engaged the marauders in a gun duel but three other persons were kidnapped by the AK-47-wielding criminals during the onslaught.

“Efforts are being made to ensure the unhurt rescue of the kidnapped victims as well as the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act,” he said in a statement Wednesday.

The Commissioner of Police in the state Aliyu Musa, who condemned the “senseless attack on healthcare workers and facilities”, ordered the deployment of additional operational assets to the scene for improved security and an intensified manhunt for the assailants. (Channels TV, but headline rejigged)