The Management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, Bauchi, has issued a disclaimer on some individuals impersonating the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Professor Yusuf Bawa Jibrin, in the social media.
This was contained in a Press statement issued to journalists by the head, Public Relations Unit of the hospital, comrade Usman Abdullahi Koli.
The statement urged members of the public to be aware of the fraudulent activities perpetuated by individuals impersonating the CMD both online and offline.
He explained that the scammers falsely claim that the CMD, Prof Jibrin is awarding contracts, particularly concerning the purchase of 200 HP laptops, purportedly approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for operational use as part of the hospital’s digitisation programme.
“The fraudsters have been using phone number: 08167069701 to contact unsuspecting individuals via WhatsApp, phone calls, and SMS, attempting to deceive and defraud them,” the statement said.
It added, “We categorically state that ATBUTH, Bauchi, has not initiated any such procurement process through unsolicited individual offers.”
According to Koli, the CMD or any other official of the hospital does not award contracts through unofficial channels, and all legitimate procurement activities follow due process and official procedures as stipulated by law.
The statement cautioned the general public to be vigilant and disregard any communication from such scammers.
It advised anyone contacted with such fraudulent claims to report to the appropriate authorities immediately, assuring that the hospital management is collaborating with security agencies to track, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible.
