A civil society organisation, Citizens’ Gavel, has called for an immediate investigation and disciplinary sanctions over an alleged raid by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, during which medical personnel were reportedly assaulted.

The organisation, in a statement issued on Friday, said the operation, which the EFCC has admitted, involved intimidation and physical assault on staff, including cardiothoracic surgeon, Professor Effiong Ekpe, while officials attempted to obtain a medical report.

The organisation described the incident as a troubling example of operational excess, warning that such conduct undermines the rule of law and public confidence in state institutions.

The group’s Operations Lead, Oluwafemi Ajibade, said anti-corruption enforcement must always be carried out within constitutional limits and with respect for human dignity.

He stressed that hospitals are protected spaces dedicated to care, adding that any use of force or intimidation within such environments could endanger patients and disrupt critical medical services.

Ajibade said: “It bears reiterating that Anti-corruption efforts, no matter how important or urgent, cannot serve as a justification for operational lawlessness.

“The rule of law unequivocally stipulates that every state institution, including law enforcement agencies, must exercise its powers within constitutional boundaries and in accordance with established legal procedures.

“Therefore, such conduct is entirely inconsistent with the constitutional principles of due process and, most of all, respect for human dignity. Hospitals are places of care, not places to be invaded with brute aggression. It should go without saying that the use of coercion and intimidation against medical personnel not only endangers their lives, but as a ripple effect also jeopardises the safety and well-being of patients under their care.”

According to the organisation, the alleged conduct reflects broader concerns about accountability and professionalism within some law enforcement operations, particularly where fundamental rights are implicated.

Ajibade warned that continued incidents of this nature risk eroding trust in public institutions at a time when Nigeria’s healthcare system is already under significant strain.

The CSO called for a transparent and independent investigation into the conduct of the operatives involved, insisting that all officers found culpable must face appropriate disciplinary and legal consequences.

It also urged the authorities to strengthen internal oversight mechanisms within law enforcement agencies and ensure strict adherence to due process during operations, especially in sensitive environments such as hospitals.

“Nigerians do not deserve a country where brutality replaces professionalism, or where constitutional safeguards are treated as optional rather than binding obligations.

“The legitimacy of law enforcement depends not only on outcomes but also on the methods used to achieve them. Constitutional democracy demands professionalism, legality, restraint, and unwavering respect for human rights at all times”, he said.