- EFCC Operatives Attacked, Stoned During Raid At Uyo Teaching Hospital
- Agency said officials visited hospital over disputed medical report investigation.
- Videos showed panic after teargas was allegedly discharged inside hospital premises.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has disclosed that its operatives were attacked and stoned during an operation at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State.
According to the commission, the incident occurred on Tuesday when EFCC officials visited the hospital to make lawful enquiries regarding a medical report connected to an ongoing fraud investigation.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the operation reportedly involved officers arriving at the hospital in two saloon vehicles and a tinted bus, with some operatives dressed in EFCC-branded jackets while others wore face masks.
During the operation, Eyo Ekpe, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery and deputy chairman of the hospital’s medical advisory committee, was reportedly arrested.
Videos circulating online showed scenes of panic within the hospital premises as workers, patients and visitors scrambled for safety after teargas canisters were allegedly discharged during the incident.
In a statement issued by EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the commission explained that its operatives visited the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect currently in custody over allegations of defrauding several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
Oyewale stated that the EFCC had earlier written two separate letters to the hospital management requesting clarification on the medical report but allegedly received no response.
He added that the investigating officer handling the case had also visited the hospital previously to make further enquiries regarding the matter.
“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,” the statement read.
The EFCC further alleged that the Chief Medical Director ordered the closure of the hospital gates, making it difficult for operatives to leave the premises.
According to the commission, police authorities in Akwa Ibom State reportedly appealed to the hospital management to reopen the gates to allow the operatives exit peacefully, but the request was allegedly ignored.
The anti-graft agency maintained that despite the tension and hostility, its operatives exercised restraint and eventually left the hospital without disrupting medical activities.
The commission also reminded the public and institutions that they are expected to cooperate with lawful investigations carried out by the agency.
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