A plot to kidnap doctors in Nigeria's Plateau State... and the hospital reveals the truth

Written by: Abubakar Sani, our correspondent from Nigeria 

Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Nigeria has denied reports of tensions within its facilities, following allegations of a terrorist plot to kidnap medical staff.

In a statement signed by the hospital's public relations officer, Talato Ange, on Wednesday, the hospital administration confirmed that the hospital is safe and that all services are operating normally without interruption.

The statement read: “The administration of Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Jos has taken note of a post currently circulating on social media entitled: “Tensions at a state hospital in Plateau due to a terrorist plot to kidnap doctors and other staff.””.

The administration explained that “the circular mentioned in the report is merely an internal circular, and it is part of the routine security briefings provided to employees.”.

The aim was to urge them to be cautious and vigilant while performing their daily tasks, especially in light of current security concerns.

Disturbances within the hospital

The hospital administration denied claims of unrest within the hospital, adding: “There is no tension within the hospital. Staff and patients are carrying out their usual activities, and all medical services continue without interruption.”.

Therefore, the administration urges the public to disregard any misleading or sensational information that could disrupt the relative stability the state currently enjoys. The hospital is safe, fully operational, and committed to providing high-quality healthcare services.

The hospital administration also reassured residents seeking treatment, saying: “We encourage the public to continue visiting the hospital to meet their medical needs, as all competent medical staff are on site and ready to serve patients.”.

Doctors in the state were kidnapped to treat the wounded.

Our correspondent reported that a leaked internal memo from the hospital administration raised concerns on Tuesday about an alleged plan by bandits and terrorist groups to kidnap doctors in the state to treat wounded people.

The memo, dated April 13, 2026, stated that “intelligence revealed a plan by terrorist groups to kidnap medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and other health assistants, particularly in frontline states, including Plateau State, to treat their members who had been shot and suffered other physical injuries during clashes with security forces.”.

The memo described this development as “a tactical shift by the group, aimed at preserving its operational capability and reducing the death rate among its fighters,” adding that “this trend poses a serious risk to healthcare workers, especially in remote areas.”.

The memo advised “all hospitals and health centers in the state to educate their staff on the need to be cautious and report any suspicious persons or movements to the security services to take the necessary measures immediately, while continuing the efforts made by the security services to prevent any undesirable developments.”.

This document, which has been widely circulated on social media, has sparked widespread concern and led to reports of "tension" at the government facility.

Plateau State has experienced frequent security challenges in recent years, including attacks by armed groups and acts of banditry in some communities, raising concerns about the safety of vital institutions such as healthcare facilities.