Presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the use of teargas within the facility as reckless and dangerous to patients and medical staff.

In a statement personally signed on Thursday, Obi said while he recognised the mandate of law enforcement agencies, their operations must always be carried out with caution and respect for human life.

“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,” he said.

He described the incident as a “thoughtless act” that endangered lives and compromised safety within a critical health facility.

“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 stated.

Obi noted that the operation, which reportedly involved the arrest of medical personnel and the use of force, raises serious concerns about the treatment of healthcare workers in the country.

He questioned the implications of such actions on the morale of medical professionals, particularly in a system already facing shortages.

“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 asked.

He also highlighted that Nigeria has a limited number of cardiothoracic surgeons, stressing that such professionals should be protected rather than subjected to humiliating treatment.

Obi insisted that the rule of law must be upheld at all times, adding that no situation justifies the use of teargas in a fragile hospital environment.

“Nothing justifies the use of teargas canisters in a fragile hospital environment… We must also learn to respect the lives and dignity of our citizens,” he said.

He called on public institutions to embrace civility and professionalism in their operations, urging an end to what he described as “rascality and disorderliness” in governance.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has denied invading the hospital, insisting its operatives were on official duty connected to the verification of a medical report submitted in an ongoing fraud case.

Medical associations at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital have, however, demanded disciplinary action against the operatives involved, alongside compensation and an apology, while continuing their strike over the incident.