Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Nigeria Police Force following a courtesy visit by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Kemta Division, CSP Quadril R.O., and members of his management team to the hospital.
The DPO was accompanied on the visit by ASP Balogun Latifat, ASP Abdullahi Oyetunji, ASP Olopade, and ASP Christopher, among other officers from the Kemta Police Division.
Speaking during the visit, CSP Quadril said the purpose of the engagement was to deepen collaboration between the Police and the Centre in order to create a safer and more secure environment for patients, staff and visitors. He described the Police and FMC Abeokuta as partners in progress, noting that effective cooperation between both institutions is essential to safeguarding lives and property while supporting quality healthcare delivery.
Welcoming the delegation, the Medical Director of FMC Abeokuta, Dr. Titilola Sarah Ibiyemi, expressed appreciation to the Police team for the visit. She said she holds the Nigeria Police Force in high esteem and has consistently enjoyed cordial and professional interactions with its officers despite the negative perceptions often associated with the Force. According to her, the Centre has maintained a strong working relationship with the Kemta Police Division, particularly in protecting lives and property. However, she expressed concern over the recent increase in theft and vandalism within the hospital and appealed for intensified security measures to address the situation.
The Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Olusola Adebisi, corroborated the Medical Director’s concerns, noting that incidents of theft had become worrisome within the Centre. He cited the vandalisation of an air-conditioning unit located close to the hospital’s Police post as one of several recent security breaches and appealed to the Police to strengthen surveillance and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Also speaking, the Director of Administration, Mr. E. K. Apanisile, called for increased police patrols around the hospital, particularly at night. He further appealed for greater police intervention in curbing cases of assault on healthcare workers by patients and their relatives, noting that such incidents pose a serious threat to the safety and morale of hospital staff.
Responding, CSP Quadril assured the hospital management of the Division’s commitment to providing prompt responses to distress calls and enhancing security around the facility. He pledged stronger collaboration with the Centre through improved patrols, intelligence sharing and rapid response, assuring the management that the Police would continue to work closely with the hospital to ensure FMC Abeokuta remains a safe environment for patients, their families, healthcare professionals and other staff members.
The visit further underscored the shared commitment of the Nigeria Police Force and the management of FMC Abeokuta to fostering a secure atmosphere that supports efficient healthcare service delivery and guarantees the safety of everyone within the hospital community.
