By CHARLES CHIJIOKE
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged conduct of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following reports that officials of the anti-graft agency stormed the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and fired teargas canisters while attempting to arrest Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon and deputy chairman of the hospital’s medical advisory committee.
Reacting to the development in a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Obi described the reported incident as “a thoughtless act,” warning that such operations within a sensitive medical environment could endanger lives and undermine public confidence in state institutions.
“I have just read the recent troubling reports of how the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission allegedly stormed the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in a bid to arrest Professor Eyo Ekpe,” Obi said.
While acknowledging the constitutional responsibilities of the EFCC and other security agencies, the former Anambra State governor argued that law enforcement operations must be conducted with restraint and professionalism.
“While I understand and respect the fact that the EFCC, and indeed, all other government agencies have their constitutional rights to do their jobs without interference, the manner in which some of these jobs are carried out is often deeply troubling,” he stated.
According to Obi, reports that teargas was allegedly discharged within the hospital premises created panic among patients and health workers, forcing many to flee for safety.
“Reportedly, the EFCC operatives who stormed the hospital shot some teargas canisters within the hospital premises which sent medical staff and patients running for safety.
This thoughtless act greatly compromised the general safety in the hospital environment and further jeopardised the health of the medical personnel and the sick people in the hospital,” he added.
The former presidential candidate stressed that respect for the rule of law and human dignity remains essential for national development, insisting that the alleged disorderly conduct of the operatives should not be tolerated.
“I have always said that the most fundamental intangible asset upon which any nation functions effectively is the rule of law and order.
The disorderliness allegedly demonstrated by the EFCC operatives at the hospital must not be encouraged. Nothing justifies the use of teargas canisters in a fragile hospital environment,” Obi said.
He further raised concerns over the treatment of medical professionals in Nigeria, especially specialists in critical healthcare fields, warning that such incidents could worsen the country’s already strained medical sector.
“If a Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery is arrested in such a demeaning manner in a hospital environment, what signals are we sending to other medical professionals working hard to keep our health sector afloat?” he queried.
Obi noted reports indicating that Nigeria currently has only about 80 cardiothoracic surgeons serving a population of over 230 million people, adding that Professor Eyo Ekpe is reportedly the only specialist in that field in Akwa Ibom State.
The incident has since sparked debate on social media and within public circles over the operational methods of security and anti-corruption agencies, particularly when carrying out arrests in highly sensitive public institutions such as hospitals.
Observers say the controversy may increase pressure on the EFCC to clarify the circumstances surrounding the operation and could renew calls for stricter operational protocols during arrests in medical and other critical public facilities.
“Let us learn to do better. Let us condemn and eschew the rascality and disorderliness that have continued to characterise some of our public offices and bring in civility in the discharge of our duties,” Obi concluded.
