Isaac Samuel
There was confusion and heightened tension at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday following a confrontation involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), medical personnel, and security agencies, an incident that has now triggered an indefinite strike action by doctors in the state.
The crisis deepened after the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Branch, accused EFCC operatives of allegedly invading the hospital, assaulting senior medical personnel, firing gunshots, and brutalising staff members during an operation within the hospital premises.
In a communiqué issued at the end of an Emergency General Meeting held virtually on Tuesday, the association alleged that Professor Eyo Ekpe, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of UUTH and a Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, was allegedly assaulted, handcuffed, and detained by masked EFCC operatives alongside other doctors and hospital workers who reportedly attempted to intervene.
The communiqué, signed by the Chairman of NMA Akwa Ibom State Branch, Prof. Aniekan Imo Peter, and the Secretary, Dr. Ighorodje Edesiri, described the incident as “barbaric, degrading, inhumane, and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment.”
The association alleged that gunshots were fired within the hospital premises and phones belonging to persons recording the incident were confiscated.
According to the NMA, the chairman of the association in the state, Prof. Peter, was also allegedly shoved and exposed to teargas while seeking clarification from the operatives.
The association claimed that no formal invitation had been extended to Professor Ekpe or the NMA leadership before the operation.
Following deliberations, the NMA announced an immediate total and indefinite strike action across Akwa Ibom State, including the withdrawal of all medical services.
The association also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained doctors and hospital staff, an unreserved public apology from the EFCC, and the prosecution of all operatives allegedly involved in the raid.
The NMA further resolved to institute legal action against the anti-graft agency, demanding damages of N1 billion for what it described as physical, emotional, professional, and institutional damage caused by the incident.
The association maintained that hospitals are sacred environments meant for the preservation of life and should not be subjected to violent invasions by security agencies.
However, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command denied involvement in the alleged assault on hospital workers.
In a rebuttal signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the command described reports linking police personnel to the incident as “false, misleading, and distorted.”
The police explained that the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UUTH had contacted the Commissioner of Police, reporting the presence of armed men within the hospital whose identities were initially unknown.
According to the command, police officers were deployed solely to assess the situation and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The statement said it was later confirmed that the operatives were personnel of the EFCC carrying out what it described as a lawful assignment.
The police stated that the CMD was advised to reopen the hospital gates to enable the EFCC operatives leave peacefully, but the advice was allegedly not complied with, thereby escalating tensions.
The command alleged that EFCC operatives were pelted with stones and eventually forced open the gate to exit the premises.
It stressed that police personnel neither participated in the operation nor assaulted any hospital staff or deployed teargas as alleged in viral reports.
Providing its own account of the incident, the EFCC said its operatives visited the hospital to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect standing trial before the Federal High Court in Uyo over alleged fraud involving multiple microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
In a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission said it had earlier written two letters dated March 11 and April 20, 2026, to the hospital management requesting clarification on the medical report but received no response.
The commission said an investigating officer had also previously visited the hospital without success.
According to the EFCC, operatives later visited the Chief Medical Director on Tuesday as a “last resort” to make further enquiries but were allegedly locked inside the premises and attacked by “misguided staff” who pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects.
The anti-graft agency claimed the hospital management shut the gates, making it impossible for lawful enquiries to continue, despite advice from the police to reopen the gates.
The EFCC maintained that its operatives exercised restraint and exited the premises professionally without disrupting hospital activities.
The commission also warned that obstruction of lawful investigations could attract legal consequences.
