EFCC Orders Probe of May 12 UUTH Incident After Doctors’ Strike

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ordered an investigation into an incident at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State that sparked allegations of brutalisation of medical staff and prompted an indefinite strike by doctors. The confrontation occurred on Tuesday, May 12, when EFCC operatives visited the hospital, where health workers later said the episode disrupted medical services and involved physical intimidation of staff.

UUTH’s leadership and other hospital-related accounts said the incident involved the detention of people connected to the hospital, including Prof. Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon and deputy chairman of the hospital’s medical advisory committee. In response to the backlash, doctors and other health workers began an indefinite strike, according to the hospital environment, calling for clarification and accountability for what they described as mistreatment of staff. The Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, appealed to union leaders to return to work due to the condition of critically ill patients.

EFCC officials denied that any arrest or detention took place during the hospital visit. In a...