Suspected kidnappers have struck at the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Dawanau in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area (LGA), Kano State, abducting a 60-year-old woman, Talatu Ali, as she waited for a medical consultation. The brazen incident, which unfolded on February 19, 2025, has left her family reeling and authorities scrambling to uncover the culprits behind this audacious crime.
Intelligence sources briefed Zagazola Makama, a seasoned security analyst, revealing that Talatu Ali had been brought to the hospital at around 8:30 a.m. by her son, Nasiru Aliyu, and her cousin, Aliyu Garba, both residents of Yar Gaya Village in Dawakin Kudu LGA. The trio had arrived seeking treatment for the elderly woman, joining a queue of patients awaiting their turn. But in a sudden and shocking turn of events, Talatu vanished from the line. “While on the queue for consultation, they suddenly discovered that she had disappeared,” the sources recounted, painting a picture of confusion and distress as her companions realized she was gone.
Truth Live News learnt that the Frantic searches across the hospital grounds yielded no trace of the 60-year-old, prompting her family to alert authorities. They reported the disappearance to the Dawanau Divisional Police Headquarters, sparking an immediate investigation. The gravity of the situation became chillingly clear two days later, on February 21, when Nasiru Aliyu received a call at about 7:00 a.m. from an unknown number. The voice on the other end confirmed the family’s worst fears: “The victim was in the caller’s custody,” sources told Makama, signaling that Talatu had been kidnapped.
The Kano State Police Command swiftly confirmed the abduction, launching efforts to track down the perpetrators and secure the woman’s release. Authorities suspect the kidnappers may have meticulously planned the operation, exploiting the hospital’s bustling environment to blend in and strike. “Authorities believe the abductors may have deliberately targeted the hospital, exploiting its vulnerability to infiltrate and take hostages,” the intelligence sources noted, suggesting a calculated move that has heightened concerns about security in public spaces.
The incident has cast a shadow over Dawanau, a community already grappling with the challenges of healthcare access, now facing the added threat of criminal audacity. For Talatu’s family, the wait for news is agonizing—her son and cousin left grappling with the sudden void where she once stood beside them. The hospital, meant to be a place of healing, has instead become the scene of a crime that underscores the growing menace of kidnapping in Nigeria’s northern regions.
As police intensify their search, the abduction serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in everyday settings, from crowded markets to medical facilities. The Kano State Police Command has vowed to pursue all leads, determined to bring Talatu Ali home and hold those responsible accountable. Meanwhile, her loved ones and the broader community hold their breath, hoping for a resolution to this distressing saga that began with a routine visit turned nightmare.