EFCC Denies Brutality Claims, Launches Probe Into Uyo Teaching Hospital Incident

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has issued a detailed clarification on a recent encounter between its operatives and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State, denying claims of arrests or physical brutalisation.

In an official statement released via the agency’s X account @officialEFCC on Friday, the anti-graft agency described the presence of its personnel at the hospital on May 12 as purely administrative, aimed at authenticating a document rather than conducting any tactical operation or effecting arrests.

According to the EFCC, no staff of the hospital were detained after accompanying operatives to the Uyo Zonal Command for further verification. The Commission expressed outrage over allegations of brutalisation circulating in the public domain and stated that it has ordered a full internal investigation into the matter.

Any operative found to have breached standard operating procedures will face appropriate sanctions, the agency emphasised. The statement was issued in response to widespread public reactions and media reports following the incident.

Videos and accounts shared on social media had suggested that EFCC operatives used excessive force during an interaction with hospital workers, triggering anger among Nigerians who viewed the episode as another instance of heavy-handedness by law enforcement agencies.

The EFCC, however, maintained that such claims lack supporting physical evidence, noting that even staff members who addressed the media showed no visible signs of injury. The Commission acknowledged the legitimate concerns raised by stakeholders and the public, assuring that it takes such matters seriously.

It described the May 12 incident as an aberration that should not be exploited by individuals seeking to undermine the broader fight against corruption in Nigeria. The agency reiterated its commitment to operating within the bounds of the law while respecting the rights of all citizens.

The Commission’s statement also warned against attempts by “fifth columnists” to exploit the situation. It urged stakeholders to focus on the bigger picture of combating graft rather than allowing isolated events to derail anti-corruption efforts.