The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has officially debunked viral online reports alleging that its officers invaded the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and assaulted medical personnel.
In a press rebuttal issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the Command characterized the circulating claims as false, misleading, and a distortion of the actual events that transpired at the medical facility.
The Command clarified that the operation in question was conducted exclusively by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the statement, the anti-graft agency was at the hospital to carry out a lawful assignment. The police maintained that their involvement was purely reactive, following a distress call placed by the Chief Medical Director of UUTH to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order.
Upon arrival at the scene, police personnel confirmed the identity of the operatives as EFCC officials.
The Command stated that hospital management was immediately briefed on the situation and advised to reopen the hospital gates to allow the federal agents to depart the premises peacefully.
This intervention was intended to de-escalate the growing friction between the hospital staff and the visiting operatives.
However, the police report alleged that the hospital management did not comply with the advice to open the gates, which significantly heightened tensions within the environment.
The situation reportedly took a turn for the worse when the EFCC operatives were pelted with stones by individuals on the premises. Consequently, the agents were forced to manually open the gates to secure their exit from the facility.
Reiterating its stance, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command emphasized that its personnel did not participate in the EFCC operation, nor did they engage in any form of brutality.
The statement categorically denied allegations of police officers using teargas or assaulting hospital staff, urging the public to disregard the “distorted” narratives appearing on social media platforms.
