Robbers disguise as patients to rob hospitals

Two suspected armed robbers who disguised as patients to gaining entry and rob hospitals around Lagos, Babatunde Bamidele and Muritala Balogun, have been arrested by police detectives in in the state, moments after they robbed another hospital.

It was gathered that Bamidele and Balogun are members of a syndicate which specialised in posing as patients to get access into hospitals and rob genuine patients and staff. Their waterloo came after they attacked a hospital at the Ajangbadi area on Wednesday, April 13.

Narrating how they operated, Bamidele said:

“Before we go out on operation, we would dress the body of one of our members with bandage. When we get to the gate of the prospective hospital, the supposed ‘sick person’ would start crying loudly.

Others would start calling for emergency. Immediately we are allowed into the hospital, we would whip out our guns and rob the patients. We would rob them of money and other valuables. We don’t kill people.

We only collect money and phones. I used to pick pocket until I met , our leader. He advised me to abandon that. He said it was not profitable.

Before I started going out with them, they trained me for a week. On the day we were arrested, we had just robbed the patients and we were running away from the scene when we ran into a police patrol van. He added:

The policemen were on patrol when they heard shouts of thief coming from the direction of the hospital. They ran after us. Ahmed and others escaped. Muritala and I were arrested.

Since I joined the gang, we have robbed about five different hospitals at Ajangbadi, Shibiri and other parts of the community. I regret my actions.

My parents must not hear I was arrested for armed robbery.”

On his part, Balogun narrated his involvement:

“I was also into pick pocket until I met Ahmed. I was at home when Ahmed called me. He said I should go with them to visit a friend at the hospital. I obliged. We both went to the hospital.

When we got to the hospital, I was surprised to hear Bamidele scream like he was in pains. Ahmed and others called for emergency.

I didn’t go with them into the hospital. I waited outside. After a while, they came out with many phones and some other things. Immediately we left the hospital, policemen who were on patrol accosted us. They arrested me and Bamidele.”