Activities at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were brought to a standstill on Tuesday following an attempted arrest and eventual arrest of senior hospital officials by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The incident, which caused tension within the hospital premises, led to an indefinite shutdown of medical services after doctors and health workers protested what they described as unfair treatment of hospital staff.
Among those reportedly arrested was Prof. Effiong Ekpe, the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at the hospital and a professor of cardiothoracic surgery.
Sources within the hospital said EFCC operatives from the Uyo Zonal Office arrived at the hospital to arrest Prof. Ekpe based on a court warrant linked to an ongoing investigation.
However, the move reportedly met resistance from workers and hospital security officials, who locked the hospital gate and prevented the anti-graft officials from leaving the premises.
Eyewitnesses said the atmosphere became tense as workers gathered around the officials while arguments broke out between both sides.
It was gathered that the EFCC operatives later called for reinforcement while police officers were drafted to the scene to calm the situation and restore order.
The incident disrupted medical activities across the hospital as doctors, nurses, and other health workers abandoned their duties in protest.
Following the development, the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, directed doctors in the state to immediately suspend services.
The Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, also reportedly declared a total shutdown of the hospital in solidarity with the affected staff members.
The Public Relations Officer of the NMA in the state, Dr. Gabriel Eyo, condemned the action of the EFCC, describing it as an attack on the hospital and its workers.
According to him, the manner in which Prof. Ekpe was treated was unacceptable, especially considering his position as the only professor of cardiothoracic surgery in Akwa Ibom State.
Eyo alleged that the professor sustained injuries during the incident and insisted that due process should have been followed by the EFCC.
“Prof. Ekpe is the professor of cardiothoracic surgery, the only one we have in Akwa Ibom State. Anyway, we don’t know what he has done, but we don’t really care at this point,” he said.
“Whatever he did, there is due process for this kind of thing. Even criminals are not treated this way. The only thing that should have been done would have been to send an invitation, which was not done.”
He added that the NMA had already held an emergency meeting and resolved to begin an indefinite strike pending further decisions.
The shutdown of the hospital raised concerns among patients and residents, as many people seeking medical attention were left stranded.
The University of Uyo Teaching Hospital is one of the major referral health institutions in Akwa Ibom State and neighbouring states. The hospital provides specialist healthcare services and serves as a training centre for medical students and health professionals.
Many patients reportedly waited for hours without receiving treatment as the crisis unfolded.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has denied direct involvement in the arrest operation.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Mohammed Azare, said police officers only accompanied the EFCC operatives to maintain peace and confirm the legitimacy of the operation.
According to him, the EFCC had informed the police that the arrest was connected to an ongoing court matter.
Azare explained that he personally contacted the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Emem Bassey, and advised him to allow the officials access to carry out their lawful duty.
“The EFCC went for an arrest in the hospital this morning, and the CMD called me to verify if my men were among those in the hospital,” the police commissioner said.
“I called the head of the EFCC, who confirmed to me that they were actually the ones who went to pick up that person on the instruction of the court.”
He added that the court handling the matter had ordered the suspect to be produced before it, making the arrest lawful.
However, the EFCC has rejected allegations that its operatives assaulted hospital staff during the operation.
The spokesperson for the commission, Dele Oyewale, said the officials were instead attacked by some members of staff while carrying out lawful duties.
In a statement, Oyewale explained that the EFCC officials initially visited the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect facing trial before the Federal High Court in Uyo.
According to him, the suspect is under investigation for allegedly defrauding several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
Oyewale said the commission had earlier written two official letters to the hospital management on March 11 and April 20, 2026, requesting verification of the medical report but received no response.
He stated that after repeated failed attempts to obtain clarification, the investigating officer personally visited the hospital for further enquiries.
“As a last resort, operatives of the commission visited the chief medical director of the hospital on Tuesday to make further enquiries,” he said.
He alleged that the operatives were locked inside the hospital premises after a false alarm was raised and were later attacked with stones and other dangerous objects by angry staff members.
According to the EFCC spokesman, police authorities later advised the hospital management to reopen the gate and allow the officials leave peacefully, but the request was allegedly ignored.
“In spite of the hostility and provocation, there was no breakdown of law and order as the operatives exercised restraint and professionally made their way out of the hospital premises without disrupting its activities,” Oyewale stated.
He also warned that obstructing EFCC investigations or refusing to cooperate with lawful enquiries could amount to a criminal offence.
The incident has sparked public debate over the conduct of security agencies during arrests and investigations, especially within sensitive public institutions such as hospitals.
While some Nigerians believe anti-corruption agencies should be allowed to carry out investigations without interference, others argue that proper procedures and respect for professional institutions must also be maintained.
As of the time of filing this report, medical services at the hospital remained disrupted while discussions between health workers, hospital management, and government officials continued.