By Our Reporter
The Chairman of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Dr. Dayo Israel, may visit the specialist healthcare facility soon as part of his oversight responsibilities regarding the hospital’s administration.
The Daily Crucible gathered that the visit may not be unconnected with the growing cases of theft and burglary at the hospital, which recently compelled resident doctors to embark on a three-day warning strike to draw attention to their plight.
Israel, who was appointed in January 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is expected to use the visit to address the grievances of the resident doctors and explore measures to tackle the worsening security concerns.
The Daily Crucible also recalls that elder statesman and former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, had in February 2025 advised the Board Chairman to brace for the challenges ahead and be prepared to step on toes, if necessary, to achieve success in office.
Obasanjo noted at the time that no effective leader succeeds without making difficult decisions.
“If you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective,” the former President had said.
An uneasy calm recently enveloped FMC Abeokuta following allegations of burglary, robbery, and recurring theft of staff and patients’ belongings within the facility.
Frustrated medical personnel, who said they could no longer endure the deteriorating security situation, temporarily withdrew their services in a bid to compel management to take urgent action.
Sources close to the institution alleged that a patient’s car parked within the FMC premises was recently stolen while the owner was receiving treatment.
The sources further disclosed that during the latest invasion of the facility — particularly the staff residential quarters — several doctors reportedly lost laptops, cash, bags, and other valuables after thieves broke into their apartments.
The affected resident doctors subsequently commenced a three-day warning strike last Thursday in protest against the recurring incidents of theft and burglary.
The industrial action was announced by the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Olanipekun Arise-Kola, during an emergency general meeting.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and jointly signed by Dr. Arise-Kola and the association’s Assistant General Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Alawode, the doctors cited “persistent security lapses that have continued to endanger the lives and property of healthcare workers” as the reason for the temporary withdrawal of services.
The reported security breach at the House Officers’ Quarters allegedly led to the theft of five mobile phones, a laptop, cash, and a driver’s licence.
It was also gathered that the facility previously enjoyed security support from police personnel and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). However, the arrangement was said to have been discontinued over rising cost shortly after the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Adewale Musa Olomu as the Centre’s Chief Medical Director (CMD).
Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Titilola Ibiyemi, the current and first female Medical Director of FMC Abeokuta, was appointed by President Tinubu in November 2025.
As of the time of filing this report, the hospital management had yet to officially comment on the development, while the police denied reports of any armed robbery incident at the facility.
Reacting to the incident earlier, the Ogun State Police Command debunked reports of armed robbery at the medical centre, clarifying that the incident involved burglary and stealing.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi:
“On 04/06/2026 at about 1650hrs, some medical doctors reported at the station that they woke up at about 0400hrs and discovered that their apartment within the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta premises had been broken into while they were asleep.”
The police added that the complainants reported that unknown persons stole mobile phones, laptops, cash, bags, and other valuables from the apartments.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the incident is a case of burglary and stealing, as there was no report or evidence of armed robbery. Investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators,” the spokesperson added.
