The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has claimed that the presence of its operatives at the Uyo University Teaching Hospital (UUTH) was purely for administrative purposes.
The agency, in a statement released on Friday, added that its operatives were simply at the hospital to facilitate the authentication of a document, rather than to conduct a tactical operation or effect an arrest.
The EFCC also debunked reports that some hospital staff were arrested or that staff who accompanied its operatives to the Zonal Command were detained.
The clarification follows earlier reports that EFCC stormed the Hospital on Tuesday in two saloon vehicles and a tinted bus.
Witnesses said some operatives wore masks, while others wore EFCC-branded jackets.
During the operation, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery and deputy chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, Eyo Ekpe, was reportedly arrested.
Hours after the incident, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Akwa Ibom State commenced an indefinite strike following the alleged assault, arrest and detention of medical personnel at the hospital by the EFCC.
However, the Friday statement by the EFCC said contrary to reports making the rounds, its operatives who visited the hospital did not brutalise or arrest anyone.
The anti-graft agency, however, added that an investigation has been ordered into the incident, and any staff of the Commission found to have deviated from the Standard Operating Procedure of the Agency will not be spared.
The EFCC clarified that the May 12th incident was an aberration and should not be allowed to be exploited by some fifth columnists to undermine the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Below is the full statement.
“Following the impassioned reaction of Nigerians to a recent incident at the Uyo University Teaching Hospital, UUTH, involving operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Commission and some staff of the hospital, the Commission is constrained to issue further clarification concerning the episode.
“The presence of the Commission’s Operatives in the facility on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 was purely administrative, to facilitate the authentication of a document, rather than a tactical operation to effect arrest. Contrary to the information making the rounds, no arrests were made and the staff of the hospital that followed our operatives to the Zonal Command were not detained.
“The Commission is outraged by the allegations of brutalisation of staff of the hospital. Even though we have not seen any physical evidence of such brutality in terms of bodily harm or injury to anyone, including to the staff members who addressed the media on this issue, the Commission as a responsible organisation, has ordered an investigation into the incident. While awaiting the outcome of this inquiry, any staff of the Commission found to have deviated from the Standard Operating Procedure of the Agency, will not be spared.
“The Commission acknowledges stakeholders who have shown concern in the amicable resolution of the issue and, once again, reassures the public, including medical staff of the UUTH, that the May 12th incident was an aberration and should not be allowed to be exploited by some fifth columnists to undermine the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
“The EFCC recognizes the rights of every Nigerian and will continue to pursue its mandate without distraction or encroachment on the inalienable right of anyone.”