EFCC Doctor Saga: Outrage Trails University of Uyo Hospital Raid
The ongoing EFCC doctor saga involving the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital has become one of Nigeria’s most controversial stories in recent weeks. What started as an investigation into an alleged fake medical report quickly escalated into chaos, public outrage, and heated national conversations about abuse of power, hospital safety, and the conduct of security agencies.
Videos and eyewitness accounts circulating online have continued to fuel reactions across social media, with many Nigerians questioning whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission crossed the line during its operation at the teaching hospital.
How the EFCC Doctor Saga Began
According to reports, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission visited the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State to verify a medical report connected to a fraud suspect under investigation.
The medical report had reportedly been submitted in court as part of the suspect’s defense. During the verification process, hospital authorities allegedly discovered irregularities suggesting that the doctor whose name appeared on the document was not attached to the department listed in the report.
This discovery reportedly led the hospital to conclude that the medical document was fake.
However, before the hospital management could officially complete its internal verification and issue a formal response, EFCC operatives allegedly returned to the facility to apprehend a senior doctor linked to the matter.
That move would later spark one of the most heated confrontations seen inside a Nigerian public hospital in recent times.
Chaos Erupts Inside University of Uyo Teaching Hospital
Eyewitnesses claimed that heavily armed EFCC operatives stormed sections of the hospital, creating panic among workers, patients, and visitors.
Healthcare workers alleged that some staff members were assaulted during the confrontation, while videos shared online showed agitated medical personnel protesting the operation.
Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital, later claimed he was dragged into a vehicle despite cooperating with investigators and despite the hospital already identifying the medical report as forged.
The incident reportedly disrupted hospital operations, with patients and staff scrambling for safety amid the chaos.
For many Nigerians, the biggest concern was not just the investigation itself but the manner in which the operation was allegedly carried out inside a sensitive medical environment where emergencies and surgeries take place daily.
EFCC Defends Its Actions
In response to the growing backlash, the EFCC defended its operation, stating that the visit to the hospital was part of an ongoing investigation into fraudulent medical documentation.
The anti-graft agency denied claims that it intentionally disrupted hospital activities or assaulted workers. According to the commission, its officers were carrying out lawful duties connected to an active case.
Despite the explanation, criticism continued to grow online as many Nigerians argued that security agencies must adopt more professional methods, especially in critical public institutions like hospitals.
Nigerian Medical Association Reacts
The Nigerian Medical Association strongly condemned the operation, describing it as intimidation and harassment of healthcare workers.
The Akwa Ibom branch of the association reportedly threatened legal action against the EFCC, demanding compensation over the incident and calling for accountability.
Medical professionals across the country also expressed concern that such incidents could instill fear among healthcare workers already facing difficult working conditions in Nigeria’s struggling health sector.
Social Media Reactions Continue to Trend
The EFCC doctor saga quickly became a major topic on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit, with Nigerians divided over the controversy.
While some people defended the EFCC’s responsibility to investigate fraud and fake documentation, many criticized the agency’s alleged use of force inside a healthcare facility.
Others compared the operation to controversial tactics previously associated with disbanded security units accused of harassment and abuse of power.
The incident has also reignited conversations about how Nigerian security agencies interact with citizens and public institutions during investigations.
