The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has ordered an investigation into the incident involving the conduct of operatives at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
On Tuesday, operatives of the EFCC stormed UUTH and arrested
Eyo Ekpe, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery, and some other staff.
Videos circulating online showed workers, patients and
visitors scampering for safety within the hospital premises after teargas
canisters were dispersed.
The incident sparked outrage on social media as many
Nigerians criticised the officers of anti-graft agency for shooting teargas
canisters at a medical facility.
However, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s head of media and
publicity, defended the operation, saying the officers only visited the
hospital to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect who has been
remanded over allegations of defrauding multiple microfinance banks, including
the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
But speaking at a press conference, Ekpe said the EFCC
operatives dragged out of his office while he was processing a response to the
agency inquiry over a medical report linked to a suspect facing trial.
‘WE’RE AWAITING FINDINGS OF INVESTIGATION’
A statement on Friday by Oyewale said the EFCC is “outraged”
by the allegations of brutalisation of the hospital staff by its operatives.
The EFCC spokesperson said it has ordered an investigation
of the incident “even though we have not seen any physical evidence of such
brutality in terms of bodily harm or injury to anyone”.
“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,” the statement reads.
“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 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 Commission acknowledges stakeholders who have shown
concern in the amicable resolution of the issue and ,once again, reassures the
public, including medical staff of the UUTH, that the May 12 incident was an
aberration and should not be allowed to be exploited by some fifth columnists
to undermine the fight against corruption in Nigeria.”
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