Presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the use of teargas within the hospital environment as reckless and dangerous to patients and medical personnel.
In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, Obi said while he recognises the statutory mandate of the EFCC and other security agencies to enforce the law, such operations must be carried out with due regard for human life and institutional sensitivity.
He criticised the reported use of teargas canisters inside the hospital premises, saying it created panic and exposed vulnerable patients and healthcare workers to avoidable risk.
“Reportedly, the EFCC operatives who stormed the hospital shot some teargas canisters within the hospital premises which sent medical staff and patients running for safety. This thoughtless act greatly compromised the general safety in the hospital environment and further jeopardised the health of the medical personnel and the sick people in the hospital,” he said.
The EFCC had on Tuesday reportedly stormed the UUTH in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in connection with the verification of a medical report submitted by a fraud suspect standing trial at the Federal High Court in Uyo.
The operation allegedly escalated into a confrontation during which teargas was fired, leading to panic within the facility. Four staff members, including the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council and cardiothoracic surgeon, Professor Effiong Ekpe, were reportedly arrested, while several others sustained injuries.
The incident triggered an indefinite strike by doctors at the hospital.
The Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Professor Ememabasi Bassey, alleged that the operatives arrived without prior notice, without presenting a warrant to hospital authorities, and without proper identification.
He further claimed that the medical report under investigation was fake, suggesting possible internal compromise involving staff and external actors.
Obi said the episode raises serious concerns about the treatment of medical professionals in Nigeria and the message such actions send to those working in a fragile health system.
He noted that Nigeria has a limited number of cardiothoracic surgeons, adding that Professor Ekpe is the only one serving in Akwa Ibom State.
“If a Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery is arrested in such a demeaning manner in a hospital environment, what signals are we sending to other medical professionals working hard to keep our health sector afloat?” he asked.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that respect for the rule of law must be balanced with restraint, especially in sensitive environments like hospitals.
“Nothing justifies the use of teargas canisters in a fragile hospital environment… We must also learn to respect the lives and dignity of our citizens,” he said.
He called for greater professionalism in the conduct of security operations, urging public institutions to end what he described as “rascality and disorderliness” in the discharge of their duties.
“Let us condemn and eschew the rascality and disorderliness that have continued to characterise some of our public offices and bring in civility in the discharge of our duties. A new Nigeria is possible,” Obi added.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has denied invading the hospital, insisting through its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, that its operatives were on an official assignment.
Medical associations at UUTH, including the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and the Association of Resident Doctors, have demanded sanctions against the operatives involved, public apologies in national newspapers, compensation for injured staff, and repairs of damaged facilities.
They have also vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met.
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