Reports from Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH), one of the largest healthcare facilities in the country and the largest state-owned hospital in Kano, indicate that in recent times, insecurity has become a pressing concern in the vicinity of the hospital.
A post by one Ahmed Deedat laments that the presence of hoodlums in the area grows with each passing day, leaving patients, their relatives, and hospital staff vulnerable to phone snatchers and armed robbers.
Recently, a midwife working at the hospital fell victim to a violent attack by phone snatchers. She was injured and robbed of her phone. Similar incidents have been reported, with staff and patients’ relatives being targeted by thugs who snatch phones, bags, and other belongings at knifepoint.
In one incident last year, a doctor was threatened while attending to patients at her desk. In another one, a nurse had to crawl under a patient’s bed to evade attackers. These alarming events highlight the growing insecurity in and around the hospital. Many people have consequently called for urgent intervention by security operatives.
Although the hospital management has made efforts to enhance security within the premises, the problem extends beyond its walls. The surrounding area has become unsafe, compromising the ability of healthcare workers to provide effective services. Day or night, the fear of attack looms large, creating what can only be described as “thuggery with impunity.”
An investigation conducted by DAILY POST confirmed an escalating insecurity in the area which is a major threat to the hospital. However, a source from the hospital, who requested anonymity, said that most of the phone-snatching incidents occur outside the hospital premises.
“Recently, some thugs snatched a phone from one of our staff members known as ‘Dogara’ and even injured him with a machete.
“Even doctors have not been spared from these criminals. There was an incident where they stopped a female doctor, Dr. Fatima, and snatched her phone after her night shift.
“Nowadays, once it starts getting dark, people become anxious if they have a phone with them. The priority is to get home safely,” the source revealed.
DAILY POST contacted the spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, but he did not respond to the several calls put across to his phone line.
Recall that in 2023, many people lost their lives to phone-snatchers in Kano. This prompted the state government to declare a state of emergency on phone-snatching in July 2023 and set up a committee comprising the police, military, NSCDC, and vigilante groups to tackle the menace.
DAILY POST tried to contact the Chairman of the Kano State Anti-Phone Snatching Committee, retired General Gambo Ahmed Mai’adua, but he couldn’t be reached on phone.
But a retired Captain, Abdullahi Bakoji who is a security analyst in Kano explained steps to follow to avoid falling victim.
According to Abdullahi, “people should avoid walking while using their phones, especially at night, and they should avoid getting into vehicles they do not trust and stay away from places known for phone snatching”.
