EFCC probes alleged assault, denies arrest at UUTH

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has commenced an investigation into allegations that some of its operatives assaulted staff members of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State.

The EFCC also denied allegations that its operatives arrested or brutalised staff members of the hospital, insisting that its officials were at the hospital solely for administrative purposes.

The anti-graft agency, in a statement issued on Friday, said the presence of operatives from its Uyo Zonal Directorate at the hospital on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, was only to authenticate a document and not to carry out arrests.

The commission explained that contrary to reports making the rounds, no hospital staff member was arrested during the visit, adding that those who accompanied its operatives to the zonal command were not detained.

The EFCC stated: “The presence of the Commission’s Operatives in the facility on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 was purely administrative, to facilitate the authentication of a document, rather than a tactical operation to effect arrest.

“Contrary to the information making the rounds, no arrests were made and the staff of the hospital that followed our operatives to the Zonal Command were not detained.”

The EFCC also reacted to allegations that some hospital workers were assaulted during the incident, describing the claims as disturbing.

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The agency vowed that any of its personnel found to have violated its Standard Operating Procedure would face disciplinary action.

It said: “The Commission is outraged by the allegations of brutalisation of staff of the hospital. Even though we have not seen any physical evidence of such brutality in terms of bodily harm or injury to anyone, including to the staff members who addressed the media on this issue, the Commission as a responsible organisation, has ordered an investigation into the incident.

“While awaiting the outcome of this inquiry, any staff of the Commission found to have deviated from the Standard Operating Procedure of the Agency, will not be spared.”

The EFCC further appreciated stakeholders who had intervened in the matter and called for calm, assuring the public and medical workers at UUTH that the incident was an isolated case.

It warned against attempts by what it described as “fifth columnists” to exploit the situation to undermine the fight against corruption in the country.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to respecting the rights of Nigerians while continuing to carry out its anti-corruption mandate without intimidation or interference.