Aniefiok Christopher
Following alleged assault on its members by security agents, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Branch has announced plans to commence an immediate but indefinite strike action and withdrawal of medical services in the state.
This forms part of a nine-point communiqué issued at the end of an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) virtually via Google Meet on Tuesday, 12 May, 2026.
NMA had accused Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged assault, arrest, and detention of Professor Eyo Ekpe, Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC), University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), and Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, medical doctors and staff of the hospital.
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The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, was said to have visited and rained mayhem on staff members and patients of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
A press release by Prof. Aniekan I. Peter, Chairman, NMA Akwa Ibom, Dr Ighorodje Edesiri E, Secretary, NMA Akwa Ibom State, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Eyo Ekpe and all NMA detained members and staffers of UUTH.
NMA further demanded EFCC to tender an unreserved public apology to Professor Eyo Ekpe, the Chairman of NMA Akwa Ibom State Branch, and the entire medical community in Akwa Ibom State.
The body called for prosecution of EFCC officers involved in the raid and assault at UUTH.
‘‘That no dialogue or negotiation shall be entertained by NMA Akwa Ibom State Branch with any government agency or authority until Professor Eyo Ekpe and all detained persons are released.’’
It equally resolved to institute legal action against the EFCC with a demand for damages in ₦1,000,000,000 for the physical, emotional, professional, and institutional damage caused.
Reiterating that hospitals are sacred environments meant for the preservation of life, it agreed that security agencies should not subject hospitals to violent invasions.
NMA further demanded EFCC to tender an unreserved public apology to Professor Eyo Ekpe, the Chairman of NMA Akwa Ibom State Branch, and the entire medical community in Akwa Ibom State.
The body called for prosecution of EFCC officers involved in the raid and assault at UUTH.
‘‘That no dialogue or negotiation shall be entertained by NMA Akwa Ibom State Branch with any government agency or authority until Professor Eyo Ekpe and all detained persons are released.’’
It equally resolved to institute legal action against the EFCC with a demand for damages in ₦1,000,000,000 for the physical, emotional, professional, and institutional damage caused.
Reiterating that hospitals are sacred environments meant for the preservation of life, it agreed that security agencies should not subject hospitals to violent invasions.
Earlier, the Congress had observed that Professor Eyo Ekpe was apprehended on Tuesday, 12th May, 2026, within the premises of UUTH by masked EFCC operatives who physically assaulted him, beat him severely to the point of bleeding, handcuffed him, and forcefully took him into custody alongside other doctors and hospital staff who attempted to intervene.
It also observed that hat gunshots were reportedly fired within the hospital environment, while phones belonging to individuals recording the incident were allegedly confiscated.
Describing the incident as barbaric, degrading, inhumane, and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment, it noted that it put the he staff and patients at risk, undermining the dignity of the medical profession.
According to the congress, the Chairman of NMA Akwa Ibom State Branch, Professor Aniekan Imo Peter, was shoved and exposed to tear gas when he approached the scene seeking clarification from the operatives.
‘‘That there has been a recurring pattern of harassment and assault of medical professionals and members of the Association by security agencies within Akwa Ibom State,’’ ther congress also observed.
Why EFCC Operatives visited UUTH
In reaction to the allegations by NMA and the public, the EFCC admitted that operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, visited the hospital on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
A press release issued by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity, said the operatives visited the hospital to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect under remand by Justice M.A Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo, for allegedly defrauding multiple micro finance banks, including University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank.
According to it, the suspect had presented a medical report which requires authentication by the UUTH management.
Recalling that it had written two different letters, dated March 11, 2026 and April 20, 2026, to the hospital management without receiving any response, the Investigating Officer handling the matter took a further step of visiting the hospital to enquire about the status of the request, saying ”Still, no response.”
‘‘As a last resort, operatives of the Commission visited the Chief Medical Director of the hospital on Tuesday to make further enquiries, only to be locked in with a false alarm and subjected to unprovoked attack by misguided staff of the facility who pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects.
‘‘While within the hospital, the CMD reportedly directed that gates of the facility be shut, making it impossible for any lawful enquiry to be made. Police authorities in Akwa Ibom State advised the CMD to open the hospital gates to enable the operatives exit the premises peacefully but the entreaties were turned down.
‘‘In spite of the hostility and provocation, there was no breakdown of law and order as the operatives exercised restraint and professionally made their ways out of the hospital premises without disrupting its activities.
‘‘Enquiries bordering on operational engagements of the Commission are lawful. It is therefore necessary to remind the public and corporate bodies that they are obligated to cooperate with the agency in such circumstance. Contrary action could be deemed as obstruction, which is criminal with attendant legal consequences,’’ it stated.
Police Command Rebuts involvement in the fracas
However, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has debunked what it calls the false and misleading narrative currently circulating on social media alleging that Policemen invaded the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), assaulted medical personnel, and used force against hospital staff.
A press release issued by DSP Timfon John, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer for the state Commissioner of Police, said ‘‘For the avoidance of doubt, the operation in question was carried out solely by Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of a lawful assignment.
According to the Command, ‘‘The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital placed a distress call to the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, reporting the presence of armed men within the hospital premises whose identities could not be immediately ascertained. The CMD further informed the CP that he had directed the closure of the hospital gates as a precautionary measure.
‘‘Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police promptly deployed Police personnel to the hospital strictly to assess the situation and prevent any 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 CMD was immediately informed accordingly and advised to reopen the hospital gates to enable the EFCC personnel peacefully exit the premises,’’ the release stated.
However, the advice was reportedly not complied with, thereby escalating tension within the environment. The EFCC Operatives, who were allegedly held within the premises and pelted with stones, eventually forced open the gate in order to exit the hospital premises.
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 Command strongly condemns the deliberate distortion of facts and the attempt to drag the Nigeria Police Force into an incident it neither initiated nor participated in. Such false narratives are capable of misleading the public, inciting unnecessary tension, and undermining public confidence.
Members of the public are therefore advised to disregard the sensational and inaccurate reports linking the Police to the incident, as they are entirely false and devoid of factual basis.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, lawful policing, and the protection of lives and property across the State.
