Healthcare delivery across Akwa Ibom State was brought to a standstill on Tuesday following an indefinite strike declared by the Nigerian Medical Association in response to a confrontation involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

The development has created a tense atmosphere within the health sector, with patients and residents left uncertain as the EFCC, medical professionals, and the Nigeria Police Force present differing accounts of what transpired inside the hospital premises.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual congress on Tuesday, the NMA accused EFCC operatives of storming the hospital and allegedly assaulting Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon and Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of UUTH.

The association alleged that the senior doctor was beaten, handcuffed, and taken away alongside other medical personnel who reportedly attempted to intervene during the incident.

“That Professor Eyo Ekpe was apprehended within the premises of UUTH by masked EFCC operatives who physically assaulted him, beat him severely to the point of bleeding and forcefully took him into custody,” the communiqué stated.

The NMA further alleged that gunshots were fired within the hospital environment, while some individuals who attempted to record the incident reportedly had their phones confiscated.

It also claimed that its state chairman, Professor Aniekan Imo Peter, was shoved and exposed to teargas while attempting to seek clarification from the operatives at the scene.

Following the incident, the association announced an immediate and indefinite withdrawal of medical services across Akwa Ibom State, demanding the release of all detained doctors and hospital staff.

The NMA also called for a public apology from the EFCC and threatened legal action, including a N1 billion damages claim, over what it described as physical, emotional, and professional harm to its members.

However, the EFCC strongly denied the allegations, stating that its operatives were at the hospital strictly to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect standing trial for alleged fraud involving several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.

The Commission explained that it had earlier written to the hospital management on two occasions seeking authentication of the document but received no response.

According to the EFCC, the situation escalated when the hospital allegedly shut its gates against its operatives, while some staff were said to have attacked officials with stones and other objects during the standoff.

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command distanced itself from the operation, stating that officers were only deployed after receiving a distress call from the hospital management over the presence of unidentified armed individuals within the premises.

The Command maintained that its role was strictly to prevent a breakdown of law and order, not to participate in the operation or any alleged assault.