By Peter Omopo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into allegations that its operatives assaulted medical workers during a controversial operation at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, sparked widespread condemnation from medical professionals, civil society groups and members of the public, with many accusing the anti-graft agency of excessive use of force and abuse of power.
Four hospital staff members, including the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Effiong Ekpe, were reportedly arrested during the operation. Witnesses alleged that the EFCC operatives arrived at the hospital to verify a medical report linked to an ongoing criminal case but tensions escalated after hospital workers resisted the arrest attempt.
Eyewitnesses claimed additional operatives later stormed the premises, firing shots into the air and deploying tear gas to disperse workers, patients and visitors gathered at the scene. Videos circulated online showed panic within the hospital as people fled for safety.
Some staff members were reportedly injured, while mobile phones were allegedly damaged during the confrontation.
The incident prompted doctors and health workers in Akwa Ibom State to embark on an indefinite strike, while the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association threatened legal action against the EFCC, demanding compensation for what it described as physical, emotional and institutional damage caused by the operation.
Speaking on the matter, the Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, disclosed that the medical report being investigated by the EFCC was fake and suggested that some hospital personnel may have collaborated with external actors in producing the document.
He explained that the verification process had been delayed due to the public holiday on May 1 and the official trip of Prof. Ekpe.
The EFCC, however, defended its actions, insisting that the visit to the hospital was strictly administrative and aimed at authenticating a medical report submitted by a suspect standing trial before the Federal High Court in Uyo.
The agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, alleged that operatives were attacked with stones and dangerous objects by hospital workers during the exercise but maintained that the officers acted professionally and avoided disrupting medical services.
The development triggered criticism from several prominent Nigerians and organisations. Former Labour Party presidential candidate, , condemned the incident, describing the use of tear gas within a hospital environment as irresponsible and disturbing.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, criticised the increasing pattern of aggressive raids by security agencies, warning that midnight operations and forceful entries could lead to deadly misunderstandings in the country’s fragile security climate.
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre also faulted the conduct of the operatives, urging anti-graft agencies to improve professionalism and intelligence gathering during investigations.
On Friday, the EFCC announced that it had opened an internal investigation into the incident. In a statement posted on its official X handle, the commission said the presence of its operatives at the hospital was not intended as an arrest operation but purely for document verification.
The commission added that although it had not received physical evidence of injuries allegedly sustained by hospital staff, it had ordered a full investigation into the allegations.
The EFCC further assured the public that any operative found to have violated the agency’s standard operating procedures would face disciplinary action.
The commission described the incident as an aberration and appealed to stakeholders not to allow the controversy undermine the broader fight against corruption in Nigeria.
