Families of a victim of a military shoot-out with suspected kidnappers in Gandu area of Lafia metropolis, Isa Yusuf, have cried out for help after their son was shot and dumped at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital.
Elder brother of the victim, Salihu Yusuf, a tailor, told our reporter that his younger brother went on a rescue mission that went awry after he was shot by military operatives who mistook their speeding vehicle for kidnappers fleeing the crime scene.
Yusuf narrated that kidnappers have stormed the residence of one of their relations in Gandu area and that after receiving save our souls calls from the victim, Isa Yusuf rushed to Gandu in their bid to rescue the kidnap victim who eventually was killed by his assailants.
” It was on a Monday last week, at around 8 to 9pm when four of our brothers took off to try to rescue Dantani, also a relation residing in Gandu. He called to say kidnappers have invaded his house, shot him and took away his wife and daughter. Dantani requested them to come and take him to the hospital.
“Four of them took off and got to the house in Gwandu where they discovered Dantani laying in a pool of his blood. They quickly picked him up and loaded him into their vehicle and to speed off making to take the victim to the hospital,” he narrated.
He recounted that, it was while the rescuers were leaving the area that they encountered an oncoming military vehicle rushing to the crime scene.
“They were rushing to take Dantani to a hospital. They came across an oncoming military vehicle. The military men mistook them for fleeing kidnappers and opened fire on them. My brother was shot three times,” he said.
According to him, the family harbour no ill feelings towards the military men that shot their brother, as they were only out to carry out their responsibilities but that the cost of providing adequate medical care to their brother is getting out of their reach.
“They tool us to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital and left us there. From that Monday night, we have spent over two hundred thousand naira on various tests and scanning. There is every indication that one of the shot affect his spinal cord because we have been referred to another hospital in Jos.
“Isa only went to rescue his relation and he got shot. It’s unfair that the family is left to bear the cost of his medical care,” Salihu Yusuf said.
He therefore appealed to good spirited persons, especially Governor Abdullahi Sule, to come to the assistance of the family.
“Isa is a painter and electrician. Though he is not married but he is already taking care of four kids left behind by one of our late brother,” he said.
