Fortress of Care: UBTH Police Post Rebuilt and Security Enhanced Under Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has taken a landmark step in improving staff and patient safety with the rebuilding and upgrading of its long-abandoned police post. *Once a dilapidated and desolate structure, the post had been vacated by the Ugbowo Police Division* due to fears of roof collapse, leaving hospital staff and visitors exposed to rising criminal incidents.
Under the visionary leadership of Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, the abandoned facility has been transformed into a modern, secure, and fully operational police station.* The initiative directly addresses concerns over the safety of healthcare workers—particularly nurses and doctors—who have previously endured harassment and physical aggression within the hospital. The upgraded facility now serves as the first line of defense for staff, patients, and property.
Security at UBTH has been further strengthened through the engagement of *Overview Nigeria Security Ltd, whose Chief Security Officer, Francis Uzamere, a renowned security expert and consultant, oversees operations. Uzamere’s strategic expertise ensures that the hospital’s security architecture is sustainable, proactive, and capable of anticipating potential threats before they escalate.
The initiative also underscores the support and confidence of *President Bola Ahmed Tinubu*, whose administration has prioritized healthcare reforms and the protection of frontline medical personnel. *Prof. Ize-Iyamu’s* efforts align seamlessly with the broader national vision to enhance healthcare infrastructure and safeguard professionals, ensuring that hospitals operate in safe and enabling environments.
Globally, leading hospitals recognize the vital link between healthcare and security. *Mayo Clinic in the United States* operates a 24-hour integrated security system combining advanced technology and trained personnel, while *St Thomas’ Hospital in London* employs dedicated hospital police units with digital access controls. *Singapore General Hospital* regulates entry points biometrically, allowing access only to authorized staff and visitors. *UBTH’s upgraded security brings the hospital closer to these international standards,* positioning it as a model for staff and patient protection Nigeria.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu’s leadership demonstrates *that healthcare excellence is inseparable from safety.* By restoring confidence in the hospital’s security, the initiative enhances staff morale, improves patient care, and sets a standard for other institutions across the country. The hospital now operates in an environment where medical professionals can focus on delivering world-class care without fear, reaffirming UBTH’s role as a leading tertiary healthcare institution.
Significantly, emblazoned on the rebuilt police station is the *UBTHCARES , not as an ornamental inscription but as a living philosophy, intricately interwoven into the institution’s operational fabric. C* stands for *Clinical Excellence and Universal Health Coverage*, affirming the hospital’s commitment to the highest standards of care for every patient, without exclusion. *A* represents *Advancement through Capacity Building*, reflecting continuous investment in human capital, skills acquisition, and professional growth. *R* signifies *Revitalization of Infrastructure*, exemplified by the transformation of abandoned structures into functional, life-protecting assets. *E* embodies *Employee Welfare and Community Engagement*, recognizing that a protected workforce and an engaged community are indispensable to effective healthcare delivery. *S* underscores *Sustainability*, ensuring that every intervention—security included—is durable, forward-looking, and responsibly maintained.
These pillars do not stand in isolation; *they are interlaced like strands of a single cord—each reinforcing the other—so that security supports care, care empowers staff, staff sustain systems, and systems serve society.* With the upgraded police post now fully operational, the UBTH complex experiences a renewed sense of safety and order. Uniformed officers patrol vigilantly, surveillance systems remain alert, *and staff and patients move with restored confidence.* The project not only restores security but also embodies the living promise of a *Fortress of Care*—where policy meets practice, vision meets vigilance, and the sound of fear has finally given way to assurance.
*Written By:*
*ABURE, P. A.*
*Manager, Corporate Services and Partnership Unit, UBTH*
