The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct a full public inquiry into the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s raid on the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
The incident occurred on Tuesday when EFCC operatives, arriving in two saloon cars and a tinted bus with some officers masked stormed the hospital and arrested Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon and deputy chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee.
The operation triggered panic, with staff, patients, and visitors fleeing for safety.In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Olayinka Atilola, the NMA described the raid as a “violent disruption” of the hospital environment.
The association demanded that EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede investigate the matter thoroughly, sanction any officers found culpable, and ensure compensation for affected medical personnel.
“The NMA leadership also uses this medium to call on the President of the Federal Republic, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to direct the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, to open a public inquiry into the entire saga of invasion of UUTH by agents of his Commission,” the statement read.
The NMA linked the incident to a broader pattern of harassment and assault against doctors and healthcare workers nationwide.
It warned that such actions worsen existing challenges, including poor working conditions, insecurity, and the ongoing exodus of medical professionals abroad (brain drain).
The association further urged the federal and state governments to pass laws designating hospitals as protected zones and criminalising all forms of violence against healthcare workers.
It also called on the presidency to instruct law enforcement agencies to route complaints involving alleged medical negligence or misconduct through professional regulatory bodies rather than direct police or EFCC intervention.
EFCC’s Response
On Friday, the EFCC said it had ordered an internal investigation into the incident. The commission stated it was “outraged” by allegations of brutality against hospital staff, noting that it had not seen any physical evidence of bodily harm or injury.
The raid and subsequent reactions have sparked fresh debate over the balance between anti-corruption efforts and the protection of critical public institutions like hospitals.
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