The Horror Of Teargas In Uyo Hospital

The invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officers on May 13, 2026 marks another disturbing descent into lawlessness by an agency that increasingly behaves as though it is above the law, writes The Punch.

The reported assault on a senior medical doctor, the disruption of medical services, the firing of teargas and live ammunition within a hospital environment, and the terror unleashed on patients and health workers are utterly condemnable. Nothing justifies such Gestapo-style barbarity.

EFCC officers reportedly stormed the hospital to “verify” a medical report, but since when did the verification of documents become a military operation?

Since when did a federal anti-graft agency acquire the powers to invade a hospital like an enemy camp? Hospitals are sanctuaries for the weak, the sick, the dying and the newborn. Even in times of war, they enjoy protected status under international conventions.

Yet, armed operatives descended on UUTH in the fashion of Hitler’s notorious secret police goons, dragging a senior doctor to the floor, assaulting health workers and creating panic in an environment where calmness can be the difference between life and death.

Some newborn babies may have been taking their first breaths when teargas was fired within the premises. Critical surgeries may have been ongoing.

Patients with asthma, hypertension and other respiratory or cardiac conditions may have had their ailments aggravated by the toxic fumes. Deaths could easily have resulted from such recklessness. This is not professionalism, nor law enforcement. It is terror.

Even during the dark days of military dictatorship, one hardly heard of such a Gestapo-style invasion of hospitals. Why now, under a constitutional democracy? This is abhorrent.

The use of masked operatives is especially troubling. Why should officials of a lawful agency conceal their identities while carrying out official duties? Such conduct creates the impression that they themselves recognise the illegality or impropriety of their actions.

But even if the EFCC had legitimate reasons to investigate, why could it not proceed methodically and professionally? Why resort to brute force? Why was the matter not handled discreetly through the state or zonal leadership of the commission?

Since this involved a matter already in court, it is the judge who should subpoena hospital management to confirm the authenticity of documents purportedly issued on its letterhead.

The EFCC’s recklessness has triggered a further crisis in the hospital, as doctors have since declared a strike, compounding the suffering of patients. Unfortunately, this incident fits into a disturbing pattern.

In 2016, Nigerians watched in disbelief as the self-styled Department of State Services carried out nocturnal raids on judges’ residences under the guise of anti-corruption operations.  The EFCC has now adopted similar theatrics.

Under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, the commission has developed a reputation for dramatic midnight raids on hotels and university hostels in search of suspected internet fraudsters. Young people are rounded up indiscriminately. Constitutional rights are trampled upon in the name of fighting cybercrime.

Yet, while the agency displays remarkable aggression against “small fry” suspects, politically exposed persons continue to evade justice with astonishing ease.

Young Nigerians are jailed for naira abuse while powerful figures accused of monumental corruption roam freely.

Ministers and politically connected individuals repeatedly named in corruption allegations are hardly invited for questioning.

This contradiction undermines the moral credibility of the anti-graft war.

Olukoyede himself has contributed to the atmosphere of sensationalism. Upon assuming office, he declared he would resign if Yahaya Bello was not jailed.

More recently, he claimed that over 60 per cent of Nigerian university students were involved in cybercrime. Such sweeping allegations are unbecoming of the head of a serious investigative institution.

Fighting corruption requires painstaking forensic work, intelligence gathering and adherence to due process — not media trials, terror tactics and unsubstantiated accusations.

Indeed, such recklessness can endanger the lives of operatives themselves. Nigerians still remember the tragic incident in Anambra State a while ago when EFCC officials attempting a forceful arrest reportedly scaled the fence of a private residence, like a gang of thieves, and were shot at.

The Minister of Health, Ali Pate, has said the EFCC has apologised for a “mistake.” But far more than a mere mistake, this reflects a dangerous institutional culture that normalizes excess force and abuse of authority.

An apology conveyed through the health ministry is insufficient. The EFCC must apologize directly and publicly to the assaulted medical personnel, to the hospital management, to patients and to Nigerians at large.

More importantly, the officers involved must face serious disciplinary sanctions. Law enforcement agents should not behave like lawless thugs. The Nigerian Medical Association and other professional bodies should also explore avenues for legal redress and claim punitive damages, as Gestapo tactics have no place in a democracy.