Doctors protest assault by EFCC operatives

Public outrage has erupted following the alleged assault and arrest of four staff members of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission during an investigation linked to a medical report submitted by a fraud suspect. Among those reportedly arrested was the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Effiong Ekpe, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery. The incident occurred on Tuesday after EFCC operatives visited the hospital premises. According to eyewitness accounts, the operatives initially attempted to arrest a hospital staff member, prompting resistance from workers and other personnel within the facility. Witnesses alleged that the operatives later called for reinforcement, while additional officers reportedly fired gunshots into the air to disperse workers gathered at the scene. The operatives eventually left with Ekpe and three other staff members. Some workers were reportedly injured during the confrontation, while several mobile phones were allegedly damaged as staff attempted to record the incident. In a statement posted on X, the EFCC confirmed that its operatives visited the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect facing trial before Justice M.A. Onyetunu of the Federal High Court in Uyo over alleged fraud involving several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank. According to the commission, it had earlier written two letters dated March 11 and April 20, 2026, requesting authentication of the medical report but received no response from the hospital management. The agency said its investigating officer later visited the hospital to follow up on the request without success. The EFCC stated that operatives subsequently visited the Chief Medical Director of the hospital on Tuesday to make further enquiries but were allegedly locked inside the premises and attacked by hospital workers. The commission claimed the operatives were pelted with stones and other objects and alleged that the hospital management refused to open the gates despite police intervention. It maintained that its officers acted professionally and did not disrupt medical activities, warning that obstruction of lawful investigations could attract sanctions. Meanwhile, medical doctors and health workers at the hospital have commenced an indefinite strike in protest against the incident. The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Akwa Ibom State, Aniekan Peters, reportedly directed doctors across the state to suspend services, while the Joint Health Sector Unions also declared a total shutdown of activities at the hospital. Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer of the NMA in the state, Gabriel Eyo, described the incident as an attack on healthcare workers and the hospital community. Eyo alleged that masked men wearing EFCC jackets stormed the hospital and physically assaulted Ekpe before dragging him away. He further claimed that officers fired shots into the air and used tear gas when staff and students attempted to intervene. According to him, Ekpe sustained injuries during the incident. Eyo argued that due process was not followed, insisting that the appropriate step would have been to issue an invitation rather than carrying out what he described as a violent operation within a hospital environment. He added that the incident caused panic among workers and patients and informed the decision of doctors to embark on an indefinite strike. Speaking on the matter, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, said police officers only accompanied the EFCC team after the hospital management contacted him to verify the operation. Azare explained that he later confirmed with the EFCC that the officers were acting based on a court order linked to an ongoing case. He said he subsequently advised the hospital management to allow the operatives carry out what he described as a legitimate duty. The incident also generated reactions on social media, with many Nigerians criticising the EFCC over what they described as excessive use of force inside a medical facility. Several users questioned the conduct of the operation and argued that hospitals operate under strict protocols and security procedures that should be respected during investigations and arrests.