May 13 (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command, has denied allegations that its personnel invaded the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and assaulted medical workers during a recent security incident at the facility, describing viral social media reports linking the police to the episode as “false, misleading and distorted”.
In a rebuttal issued on Monday, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command clarified that the operation at the hospital was conducted solely by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the course of an official assignment.
THEWILL reported that the controversy followed reports of chaos at the hospital after EFCC operatives reportedly stormed the facility in an attempt to arrest a suspected internet fraudster said to be receiving treatment at the hospital.
The operation allegedly triggered panic within the hospital environment as medical personnel and patients accused security operatives of intimidation, harassment, and disrupting medical activities.
Viral videos and eyewitness accounts circulating online had also alleged that policemen accompanied the operatives and assaulted hospital workers during the incident.
Reacting to the claims, the police said the Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Prof. EmemAbasi Bassey, had contacted the State Commissioner of Police after sighting armed men within the hospital premises whose identities were initially unknown.
The police said the hospital management subsequently shut the facility’s gates as a precautionary measure while seeking security intervention.
Following the distress call, the Commissioner of Police reportedly deployed officers to the scene strictly to assess the situation and prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
The Command explained that upon arrival, the officers confirmed that the armed operatives were personnel of the EFCC carrying out a lawful operation.
It added that the hospital management was immediately informed and advised to reopen the gates to allow the EFCC operatives to exit peacefully.
However, a statement from the police claimed the advice was not complied with, leading to heightened tension within the hospital environment.
According to the statement, the EFCC operatives were allegedly trapped within the premises and attacked with stones before eventually forcing the gates open to leave the facility.
The Command stressed that at no point did police officers participate in the operation, assault hospital staff, deploy teargas, or engage in any form of brutality as alleged in the online reports.
It condemned what it described as deliberate attempts to drag the police into an incident it neither initiated nor participated in, warning that the spread of false narratives could incite tension and erode public confidence in security institutions.
The statement, endorsed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to professionalism, lawful policing, and the protection of lives and property across Akwa Ibom State.
