Robbers Invade Private Hospitals, Rob Nurses, Patients, Cart Away Medical Equipment

Armed robbers at the weekend attacked two private hospitals
in Okitipupa, Ondo State. A source said the robbers made away with money and
other valuables belonging to staff and patients. According to the source, the
robbers also carted away some medical equipment. It was also gathered that
patients and nurses, who had no money to give to the robbers, were beaten up.

A victim, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “There were five
masked robbers. They came to the hospitals on motorcycles and threatened to
shoot whoever fails to cooperate with them.

“All of us on duty lay down and allowed them to carry out
their operation without any hindrance. They asked everybody, including the
patients, to bring out money and those who did not have any money were beaten
up. We tried to call the police but could not because they had collected our
phones,” he added.

The source said nobody was killed.

It was gathered that immediately after the operation in the
first hospital, the victims reported the matter at the police station.

But less than 24 hours later, another operation was carried
out in another hospital by the same gang.

Police spokesman Femi Joseph could not be reached for
comments but an officer in the State Anti-Robbery Squad said the police were
investigating the incidents.

The Nation