The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has strongly denied allegations that its officers participated in an alleged assault on medical personnel during an operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
In a detailed press statement released on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 and signed by DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer for the Akwa Ibom State Command, she described the viral social media reports linking policemen to the incident as “false, misleading, and distorted.”
The rebuttal was issued in response to circulating claims that security operatives, including police personnel, invaded the teaching hospital, assaulted staff, and used tear gas during the operation. According to the Command, the operation was carried out solely by EFCC operatives in the course of a lawful assignment. The police were only called in after the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UUTH placed a distress call to the Commissioner of Police, reporting the presence of armed men whose identities were initially unknown.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command wishes to categorically debunk the false and misleading narrative currently circulating on social media alleging that Policemen invaded the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), assaulted medical personnel, and used force against hospital staff.”
Upon receiving the distress call, the Commissioner of Police promptly deployed personnel to the hospital strictly to assess the situation and prevent any possible breakdown of law and order. On arrival, it was confirmed that the operatives were EFCC operatives carrying out their assignment. The CMD was immediately informed and advised to reopen the hospital gates so the EFCC team could exit peacefully.
The statement noted that the advice was reportedly not complied with, leading to heightened tension. The EFCC operatives were allegedly held within the premises and pelted with stones before forcing the gate open to leave the hospital.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command stressed that at no time did police officers participate in the EFCC operation, assault hospital staff, deploy tear gas, or engage in any form of brutality as claimed in the viral reports.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command states unequivocally that at no time did Police personnel participate in the operation, assault any hospital staff, deploy teargas, or engage in any form of brutality as falsely portrayed in the viral reports.”
The Command condemned what it described as a deliberate attempt to drag the Nigeria Police Force into an incident it neither initiated nor participated in. It warned that such false narratives could mislead the public and incite unnecessary tension.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command advised members of the public to disregard the sensational and inaccurate reports, describing them as entirely false and devoid of factual basis, reiterating its dedication to protecting lives and property while maintaining professionalism across the state.
