The management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi has announced the arrest of an elderly man accused of impersonating a staff member to defraud patients and their relatives within the hospital premises.
How the Scam Was Uncovered
According to the hospital, its SERVICOM unit discovered the fraudulent activity during a routine surveillance operation. The suspect was specifically apprehended during a night surveillance detail on 17 December 2025.
The spokesperson for ATBUTH, Abdullahi Usman Koli, provided details of the incident. He explained that the suspect had collected a total of N45,000 from relatives of a patient who was being treated for a gunshot injury.
The fraudster's scheme involved two false charges:
- He demanded N5,000 for a hospital smart card, which actually costs N1,000.
- He also requested N40,000 for the purchase of drugs, while the actual cost of the medication was only N18,150.
Following his arrest, authorities managed to recover N27,000, which was the balance of the illicit funds. The suspect has since been handed over to the police for further investigation and potential prosecution.
Hospital Leadership Issues Stern Warning
The Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Professor Yusuf Jibrin Bara, commended the SERVICOM team for their vigilance. He used the opportunity to reiterate the hospital management's unwavering zero-tolerance policy towards extortion, impersonation, and all forms of sharp practices.
Professor Bara urged patients and the general public to remain alert and to immediately report any suspicious individuals or requests for unofficial payments. Reports can be made directly to the SERVICOM desks or other relevant hospital authorities.
He assured the public that the management is committed to strengthening surveillance mechanisms to protect patients and ensure transparency in all hospital transactions.
Public Alert on Employment and Appointment Scams
In a related advisory, the hospital management alerted the public to the activities of fraudsters who impersonate hospital officials to collect money from individuals. These scams often involve false promises of offering employment or facilitating medical appointments.
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 appointment into the hospital. Any such request is illegal and should be reported.
This incident stands in contrast to the recent accolades received by the institution. In October 2025, ATBUTH was recognised as the 2025 Best Federal Health Institution for its innovative use of technology in healthcare delivery.
Furthermore, the hospital's Chief Medical Director, Prof. Yusuf Bara Jibrin, was honoured with the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award for his leadership in advancing digital governance in Nigeria's health sector. Both awards were presented at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, during the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards 2025, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).
