Authorities at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi have apprehended an elderly man suspected of impersonating a staff member to defraud patients and their families.
Night Surveillance Leads to Arrest
The hospital's SERVICOM unit made the arrest during a routine night surveillance operation on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The suspect was caught after he allegedly collected the sum of N45,000 from relatives of a patient who was being treated for gunshot wounds.
According to the hospital's spokesperson, Abdullahi Koli, the impostor falsely demanded N5,000 for a hospital smart card and another N40,000 for the purchase of drugs. This was a significant inflation of the actual costs, as the genuine smart card is priced at N1,000 and the prescribed drugs cost only N18,150.
Recovery of Funds and Handover to Police
Following the arrest, hospital officials managed to recover N27,000 from the suspect, which was the balance of the illicit funds after the actual cost of the drugs had been accounted for. The suspect has since been handed over to the police for a thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution.
The Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Professor Yusuf Bara, commended the vigilance of the SERVICOM team. He used the opportunity to reiterate the hospital management's zero-tolerance stance towards extortion, impersonation, and all forms of sharp practices within the facility.
Public Warning and Call for Vigilance
In a strong advisory to the public, the ATBUTH management alerted citizens to be wary of fraudsters who pose as hospital officials. These criminals often approach individuals with promises of employment or to facilitate medical appointments in exchange for money.
The management emphasised a critical point: no staff member or individual is authorised to collect money, gifts, or any form of inducement for employment or appointments at the hospital.
Professor Bara urged patients, visitors, and the general public to remain vigilant. He encouraged anyone confronted with suspicious individuals or demands for unofficial payments to immediately report such incidents to the SERVICOM desk or other relevant hospital authorities. He assured that the management is committed to strengthening surveillance mechanisms to protect patients and ensure transparency in all hospital operations.
