Hoodlums had invaded the Post Natal Ward of the University of Uyo Health Center along Nwaniba Road, Uyo Akwa Ibom State and made away with phones, monies and other valuables of the newborn mothers and their visitors.
The health workers at the center however had threatened to down tools if the relevant authorities fail to beef up security to ensure their safety and that of their patients.
Some of the patients who narrated their ordeals to our Correspondent said: “Two of them came into the post-natal ward with guns, threatening to shoot if we fail to surrender our valuable items. They took our phones and monies; they also removed some amount of money from the hospital drawers. Three others were outside the health center.
“When the nurses heard their initial threats, they ran into the delivery suites, locked themselves in, and we the new mothers were left bare for the robbers.
“I am however thankful to God that the idea to steal new babies was not part of their agenda. They took our handbags, emptied them and later threw them into nearby bushes“. One of the patients who just delivered a baby narrated
One of the health workers who pleaded anonymity told our Correspondent that UNIUYO security unit was contacted as soon as the hoodlums stormed into the premises of the health center, but response only came after the robbery had long been concluded.
The health worker therefore appealed to management of the institution to step up modalities to strengthen internal security in the campus, especially around the health center to avoid compounding health cases for patients.
However, when our correspondent contacted the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, he confirmed the robbery incident and suspected a link between a suspect just lynched at UNIUYO gate on Friday afternoon and the hoodlums who invaded the Health Center.
The PPRO who however condemned jungle justice, pledged the command’s resolve to get to the root of the robbery incident
“Someone already has a medical condition and is even at the hospital and you still have the mind to disposes such one of his or her valuables. The CP was so miffed about the incident and we will get to the root of this“. He said.
