The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ordered an investigation into the conduct of its operatives following an incident at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State.
The development follows public backlash over an operation on Tuesday in which EFCC officers reportedly entered the hospital premises, where Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and other staff were present.
Videos shared online showed panic among patients, staff, and visitors after tear gas was reportedly discharged within the hospital environment.
The incident drew widespread criticism on social media, with concerns raised over the use of force in a medical facility.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the operation was administrative and aimed at authenticating a medical report linked to a suspect accused of defrauding multiple microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
He said no arrests were made during the visit and that hospital staff who accompanied operatives to the EFCC zonal command were not detained.
Oyewale also stated that the commission is “outraged” by allegations of brutality, adding that there was no physical evidence of injury reported so far.
According to him, the EFCC has launched an internal inquiry into the incident and warned that any officer found to have breached standard operating procedures would face disciplinary action.
The commission maintained that the hospital visit was not a tactical arrest operation but part of an administrative process to verify documentation.
It added that the matter should not be used to undermine ongoing anti-corruption efforts in the country.
