Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday morning stormed the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State, causing panic and disrupting medical services.
The operation led to the arrest of Professor Eyo Ekpe, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and a cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital.
Witnesses said armed operatives arrived in multiple vehicles, including tinted buses and saloon cars, some wearing masks and EFCC insignia.
The reason for the arrest was not confirmed at the time of filing this report.
Shortly after the arrival of the operatives, confusion spread across wards as patients, staff, and visitors reacted to the unfolding scene.
Panic, Teargas And Hospital Shutdown
Witnesses described the operation as a “commando-style” raid that escalated quickly inside the hospital premises.
“The entire place became chaotic. Patients and staff started running when they started shooting teargas and gun,” a witness said.
Some reports alleged that teargas was fired during the operation, forcing medical staff to abandon wards and leave patients unattended.
Videos circulating showed workers and patients running for safety as panic spread across departments.
Hospital activities were disrupted, and several services were halted as fear spread among staff and patients.
Labour unions, including nursing associations, quickly directed members to vacate the premises due to safety concerns.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives in UUTH ordered immediate evacuation of staff.
“Sequel to the security concern due to invasion of the hospital premises by EFCC officials this morning, all the nurses are hereby directed to leave the hospital environment until the security situation is calm,” the statement read.
Safety Concerns And Official Silence
Trade union leaders were also seen moving through wards, instructing workers to leave as the situation remained unstable.
Some witnesses alleged that mobile phones were seized from people recording the incident, while injuries were also reported during the chaos.
The disruption raised concerns over the safety of critically ill patients receiving treatment at the tertiary facility.
Questions have also emerged about whether hospital authorities were informed before the EFCC operation.
Separate enquiries were sent to the EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale and UUTH Chief Medical Director Emem Bassey, but no response had been received at the time of reporting.
The incident adds to growing debate over how enforcement operations are conducted in sensitive public institutions like hospitals.
As investigations continue, attention now shifts to what led to the arrest of Professor Ekpe and whether due process was followed inside a functioning medical facility.
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