EFCC Clarifies UUTH Incident, Says No Staff Was Arrested

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified the circumstances surrounding a recent incident involving operatives of its Uyo Zonal Directorate and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), insisting that no arrest was made during the visit.

In a statement issued on Friday via its official Facebook page, the anti-graft agency said its operatives visited the hospital on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, for what it described as a “purely administrative” assignment.

It explained that the visit was aimed at facilitating the authentication of a document and not a tactical operation to effect arrests.

“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 EFCC also dismissed reports claiming that hospital staff 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,” it stated.

Reacting to allegations of assault and mistreatment of medical personnel, the Commission described the claims as disturbing and said it had ordered an investigation into the matter.

“The Commission is outraged by the allegations of brutalisation of staff of the hospital. Even though we have not seen any physical evidence of such brutality in terms of bodily harm or injury to anyone, including staff members who addressed the media on this issue, the Commission has ordered an investigation into the incident,” it said.

It added that any officer found to have violated its Standard Operating Procedure 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,” it said.

The EFCC also thanked stakeholders who intervened in the matter and urged the public not to allow the incident to undermine its anti-corruption mandate.

“The Commission acknowledges stakeholders who have shown concern in the amicable resolution of the issue and reassures the public, including medical staff of the UUTH, that the May 12th incident was an aberration and should not be exploited by some fifth columnists to undermine the fight against corruption in Nigeria,” it added.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to respecting citizens’ rights while carrying out its statutory responsibilities.