MDCAN and ARD condemn EFCC raid on Uyo university teaching hospital

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), both representing the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) chapters, have denounced the raid carried out by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives at the hospital, calling the incident unacceptable.

On Tuesday, EFCC operatives entered the hospital and detained several members of the hospital’s management team, leading the institution’s authorities to announce an indefinite strike.

In a joint communiqué released to journalists in Uyo on Wednesday after a meeting, the two associations alerted Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno to the EFCC’s intrusion into the hospital.

The groups condemned what they described as the “brutal and unrestrained use of live ammunition” and the commando‑style tactics employed by the EFCC personnel, and they called for the arrest of the officers involved.

According to the associations, the assault on staff and the alleged unlawful abduction of members of the hospital community were wholly unacceptable and fell outside the standard procedures expected of security forces.

The communiqué was signed by Dr. Mfon Inoh, MDCAN Chairman, UUTH; Dr. Kalu Nnenna, MDCAN Secretary, UUTH; Dr. Ekomobong Udoh, President of ARD; and Dr. Kenneth Ikott, Secretary of ARD, UUTH.

Part of the statement reads: “The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, UUTH Chapter, and the Association of Resident Doctors UUTH Chapter, bring to the attention of His Excellency Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and all well‑meaning people of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, the unfortunate incident involving the violent attack and abduction of some management staff of the hospital by personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”

“The unprovoked invasion, violence and assault on staff members and personnel of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital community by EFCC operatives are strongly condemned, especially when directed against healthcare professionals who continually risk their lives to save others.”

The associations demanded that disciplinary action be taken against all EFCC personnel involved in the operation.

They also condemned the alleged use of live ammunition during the raid.

“We further condemn the brutal and unrestrained use of live ammunition during the invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital community by EFCC operatives, during which healthcare professionals, support staff, patients and other personnel were assaulted, traumatised and subjected to fear for their lives,” the communiqué added.

The groups accused EFCC operatives of forcibly breaking into offices and removing management staff without first engaging the hospital authorities.

“We condemn the actions of EFCC operatives who forcefully broke into offices to drag out some management staff without any attempt to engage the administrative head of the hospital or other senior staff to notify them of their mission in the hospital,” the communiqué stated.

The associations called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained members of the hospital community, as well as the arrest and prosecution of the EFCC operatives alleged to have taken part in the operation.

They also urged provision of comprehensive medical and psychological care for victims, adequate compensation for assaulted staff, a public apology from the EFCC in two national newspapers, and repair of all property damaged within the hospital.

The indefinite strike declared by MDCAN and ARD members will remain in effect until all of these demands are met.