IGP Deploys 10 Armed Policemen To FMC Abuja Over Thefts, Violence By Patients’ Relatives

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has approved the permanent deployment of 10 armed police officers to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, to strengthen security at the hospital following concerns over cases of theft and occasional violence involving patients’ relatives and members of staff.

The development was disclosed in a statement posted on the FMC Abuja Facebook page, which announced that the hospital’s security architecture had received “a major boost” with the deployment.

According to the statement, the officers, led by the Administrative Officer of the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Amoo Abiodun, were formally received by the Medical Director of FMC Abuja, Prof. Sa’ad Ahmed, during a brief familiarisation meeting at the hospital.

The statement explained that under the deployment arrangement, the officers would provide permanent security coverage for the hospital and operate from a newly established police post located at the rear of the medical facility.

It added that the security team would be supervised by an unnamed Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

Addressing the officers, Prof. Ahmed outlined some of the security challenges confronting the hospital, saying theft and occasional violent incidents involving patients’ relatives and hospital workers had remained major concerns.

“We do have lots of security challenges in the Hospital as regards theft and minimal violence between patients’ relatives and our staff members sometimes,” the Medical Director said.

He urged the deployed officers to work closely with the hospital’s management by providing professional security advice to strengthen existing safety measures and ensure a secure environment for staff, patients and visitors.

Prof. Ahmed also assured the officers of the hospital management’s full support and commitment to their welfare, saying the institution would provide the necessary backing to enable them to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

The statement further noted that the police personnel were formally presented to the Medical Director by the hospital’s Chief Security Officer, Mr Isaac Audu.

Also present at the meeting was the Head of Clinical Services, Dr Bioku Muftau.