Two health workers who were responsible for supervision of polio vaccination have been shot dead by suspected bandits.
The health workers attached to Makosa village were killed in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara state.
The health workers identified as Lawali Suleiman and Aliyu Mohammed were on duty supervising a polio vaccination centre on Tuesday before a group of armed bandits invaded the village and moved to the centre where the immunisation was taking place.
According to reports, the bandits stormed the village around 2.30 pm and headed to the Primary Health Center where the polio vaccination was going on and ordered everyone to surrender their belongings.
The health workers refused to surrender their handsets. This provoked the bandits and they opened fire on the health workers, killing them instantly.
However, various degrees of injuries were sustained by two persons and they are currently hospitalised at Zurmi General Hospital.
“After robbing the people of their belongings, the bandits also carted away their animals.” the source told newsmen.
Reacting on the incident, the Police Public Relations in the state, SP Mohammed Shehu confirmed the incident and disclosed that those who launched the attack are part of the recalcitrant bandits who stormed the village with the intention of committing a robbery.
“The information we received was that the two health workers lost their lives because they didn’t surrender their handsets to the hoodlums who in turn became angry and killed them.” he said.
He lamented the incident saying the village used to be one of the peaceful areas in the state and assured the villagers that the police would soon fish out those bandits and make them face the wrath of the law.