An operation by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) on Tuesday morning caused panic within the federal health facility, disrupted medical services and forced workers to abandon wards amid safety concerns.

The operation reportedly led to the arrest of the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, of the hospital, Eyo Ekpe, a Professor of cardiothoracic surgeon.

Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that armed operatives stormed the hospital premises in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in what they described as a “commando-style” operation.

According to witnesses, the operatives arrived in two salon cars, a tinted bus, while some of them wore masks, with a few wearing the EFCC insignia.

This suspect, under remand by Judge M.A. Onyetunu of the Federal High Court in Uyo, is being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding multiple microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.

The anti-graft agency detailed its prior attempts to secure verification, noting that it had dispatched two letters to the hospital management on March 11 and April 20, requesting confirmation of the report, both of which went unanswered.

A subsequent follow-up visit by the investigating officer assigned to the case also failed to elicit a response.

According to the EFCC's account, its operatives visited the office of the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD) on Tuesday “as a last resort” to pursue further enquiries.

However, the commission alleged that once inside, the operatives were trapped when a “false alarm” was raised, and they were subsequently subjected to an “unprovoked attack” by “misguided staff” of the facility, who pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects.

The EFCC further stated that the CMD reportedly directed the hospital gates to be shut, thereby preventing the operatives from exiting and making any lawful enquiry impossible.

Despite the intervention of police authorities in Akwa Ibom State, who advised the hospital management to reopen the gates for a peaceful exit, this request was allegedly ignored.

The commission maintained that its operatives displayed restraint and professionalism, ultimately making their way out of the hospital premises without causing any breakdown of law and order or disrupting its activities.

And this issued a stern warning to public institutions and private organizations against obstructing its lawful operations.

According to these accounts, teargas and possibly gunfire caused panic, leading patients, staff, and visitors to flee.

Some witnesses also claimed that people were injured during the confusion and that operatives seized phones from those trying to record the incident.

The operation disrupted hospital activities at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, forcing several departments to shut down.

Nurses, following a directive from their union, evacuated the hospital over safety concerns, while other staff unions also instructed members to leave.

This led to serious disruption of care, with concerns that some patients, including critical cases, were left unattended.

Before any official response from the EFCC or hospital management, media inquiries were sent seeking clarification on the reason for the arrest, the reported use of force in the hospital, possible injuries, and the impact on patients. However, no immediate responses were provided.