By Ayo Kehinde
Patients at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, were left stranded on Tuesday, after a controversial operation by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sparked chaos within the hospital premises, triggering an indefinite withdrawal of medical services by doctors.
The incident, which reportedly involved sporadic gunfire, teargas deployment, and the arrest of senior medical personnel, caused panic among workers, patients and visitors at the tertiary health facility.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Branch, has since declared an immediate and indefinite strike action in protest against what it described as the “barbaric” treatment meted out to medical personnel during the operation.
Eyewitnesses described dramatic scenes as armed EFCC operatives stormed the hospital, allegedly in a bid to arrest Professor Eyo Ekpe, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DC-MAC) of UUTH and a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
An eyewitness, Ukeme Ebu, recounted the experience in an emotional narration shared online, saying hospital workers and patients were caught in what appeared like a “war zone”.
“The only crime I committed today was going to work. As I reached my place of work (UUTH), behold, I met a war zone with gunshots and teargas. Stones up and down. The whole of Abak Road was blocked. I was limping, covering my head and struggling through the teargas”, the witness stated.
The eyewitness alleged that EFCC operatives arrived without an arrest warrant and insisted on arresting Prof. Ekpe despite explanations reportedly provided by the hospital management.
“I learnt the DC-MAC, Prof. Eyo Ekpe, had explained everything to them, but they insisted on arresting a whole Professor with no warrant. They dragged and embarrassed my teacher for what he knows nothing about”, the witness added.
The account further claimed that teargas was discharged within the hospital environment despite the presence of vulnerable patients, including those with respiratory complications, while some persons attempting to record the incident allegedly had their phones confiscated.
The development reportedly forced hospital activities to shut down temporarily as tension escalated within the facility.
However, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has denied involvement in the operation, insisting that the raid was carried out solely by EFCC operatives.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the Command described reports linking policemen to the alleged assault as “false, misleading and distorted”.
According to the statement, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UUTH had contacted the Commissioner of Police after armed men were sighted within the hospital premises, and the hospital gates were subsequently shut as a precautionary measure.
The police explained that officers were only deployed to assess the situation and prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
“On arrival, it was professionally confirmed that the operatives involved were personnel of the EFCC carrying out a lawful operation”, the statement read.
The Command further stated that the EFCC operatives were allegedly trapped within the premises and pelted with stones, forcing them to break open the gate in order to leave the hospital.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command states unequivocally that at no time did police personnel participate in the operation, assault any hospital staff, deploy teargas, or engage in any form of brutality as falsely portrayed in the viral reports”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Branch, has condemned the incident in strong terms, accusing EFCC operatives of assaulting Prof. Ekpe and other hospital personnel.
Following an emergency virtual congress held on Tuesday, the association alleged that the senior surgeon was beaten, handcuffed and forcefully taken into custody alongside other doctors and hospital staff who reportedly attempted to intervene.
The NMA also claimed that gunshots were fired within the hospital premises and that its State Chairman, Professor Aniekan Imo Peter, was shoved and exposed to teargas while attempting to seek clarification from the operatives.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the association announced an immediate total and indefinite strike action across Akwa Ibom State.
The doctors demanded the unconditional release of Prof. Ekpe and all detained staff members, a public apology from the EFCC, and the identification and prosecution of all operatives allegedly involved in the raid.
The association further disclosed plans to institute legal action against the anti-graft agency, seeking ₦1 billion in damages for what it described as physical, emotional, professional and institutional harm caused by the incident.
“Hospitals are sacred environments meant for the preservation of life and should never be subjected to violent invasions by security agencies”, the communiqué stated.
As of press time, the EFCC had not issued any official statement regarding the operation, the allegations of assault, or the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest of the senior medical official.
