Akwa Ibom Doctors Strike Over Alleged EFCC Assault

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Akwa Ibom State has commenced an indefinite strike due to the alleged assault and arrest of a medical personnel by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). The decision was announced in a communiqué following an emergency virtual congress held on Tuesday.

Reports indicate that EFCC operatives, dressed in masks and jackets, conducted an operation at the hospital, leading to chaos as workers, patients, and visitors fled for safety amid alleged tear gas deployment. Eyo Ekp, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery and deputy chairman of the hospital's medical advisory committee, was reportedly arrested.

The NMA condemned the invasion, describing it as a violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment. They demand the immediate release of the detained member, a public apology from the EFCC, and have threatened legal action seeking 1 billion naira in damages if their demands are not met.