UUTH Doctors Strike Indefinitely After EFCC Raid Incident

Doctors at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State have initiated an indefinite strike in response to a raid conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday. The raid was intended to apprehend Prof. Effiong Ekp, the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Eyewitnesses reported that EFCC operatives, dressed in jackets, attempted to forcibly arrest Ekp, leading to a confrontation with hospital staff. The situation escalated when additional security personnel arrived, resulting in injuries to several individuals and damage to property.

Dr. Gabriel Eyo, a representative of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), condemned the operation as traumatic and inhumane, asserting that due process was not followed. The EFCC, however, denied allegations of brutality, stating that their actions were legally sanctioned.

The commission is investigating allegations of fraud involving several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.