By Francis Wilfred
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a clarification over the recent incident involving its operatives and staff members of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), following public reactions and allegations surrounding the operation.
In a statement signed by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission stated that the presence of its operatives at the hospital on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, was strictly administrative and not a tactical operation intended to make arrests.
According to the anti-graft agency, the visit was aimed at facilitating the authentication of a document connected to an ongoing investigation.
“The presence of the Commission’s operatives in the facility on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, was purely administrative, to facilitate the authentication of a document, rather than a tactical operation to effect arrest,” the statement said.
The commission also denied reports alleging that hospital staff members were arrested or detained during the incident.
“Contrary to the information making the rounds, no arrests were made and the staff of the hospital that followed our operatives to the zonal command were not detained,” the EFCC added.
Reacting to allegations of assault and brutalisation of hospital staff, the commission described the claims as serious and announced that an internal investigation had been ordered into the incident.
The EFCC stated that although it had not seen physical evidence of injuries allegedly sustained during the encounter, any operative found to have violated the agency’s Standard Operating Procedures would face disciplinary action.
“While awaiting the outcome of this inquiry, any staff of the Commission found to have deviated from the Standard Operating Procedure of the Agency will not be spared,” the statement noted.
The anti-corruption agency also acknowledged the interventions of stakeholders seeking an amicable resolution of the matter and assured the public, including medical personnel at UUTH, that the incident was an isolated occurrence.
The commission warned against attempts by what it described as “fifth columnists” to exploit the situation to undermine Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.
The EFCC further reiterated its commitment to respecting the rights of citizens while carrying out its statutory mandate.
“The EFCC recognizes the rights of every Nigerian and will continue to pursue its mandate without distraction or encroachment on the inalienable right of anyone,” the statement concluded.
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