Akwa Ibom police deny involvement inalleged assault at University of Uyo Teaching Hospital

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command refuted online reports that police operatives entered the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and assaulted medical staff during an on‑site operation.

The clarification appeared in a statement posted on May 12 2026 on the official page of the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John.

The statement said the operation was conducted exclusively by agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of a lawful assignment.

The Police Command noted that the Chief Medical Director of UUTH had sent a distress call to the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police after reports of armed individuals inside the hospital, whose identities could not be immediately verified.

The statement added that hospital management ordered the gates to be closed as a precaution.

In response, the Commissioner of Police deployed officers to the hospital to assess the situation and maintain law and order.

The Command later confirmed that the individuals involved were EFCC personnel conducting an official operation.

The statement reported that the Chief Medical Director was informed and advised to reopen the gates to enable the EFCC personnel to exit peacefully.

It further alleged that the advice was not followed, which heightened tension on the premises.

The statement quoted: “The EFCC operatives, who were reportedly detained inside the premises and pelted with stones, eventually forced the gate open to leave the hospital.”

The Command maintained that police officers did not take part in the operation and were not involved in any assault, teargas deployment, or brutality against hospital staff as alleged online.

It described reports linking police personnel to the incident as false and misleading, noting that such narratives could generate unnecessary tension and misinform the public.