NMA Demands ₦1bn Damages After Alleged EFCC Attack on Doctor

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Akwa Ibom State has threatened a ₦1 billion lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and ordered the withdrawal of medical services following an alleged violent confrontation involving EFCC operatives at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).

The dispute stems from an incident reportedly involving a senior cardiothoracic surgeon, Professor Eyo Ekpe, during an EFCC operation at the hospital premises in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, the Akwa Ibom NMA Chairman, Professor Aniekan Peter, accused EFCC operatives of storming the hospital on Tuesday while investigating a fraud-related case involving a suspect receiving medical care at the facility. He alleged that masked operatives forcefully apprehended Professor Ekpe inside the hospital environment and assaulted him “to the point of bleeding,” before handcuffing him alongside other medical staff who attempted to intervene. He further claimed that the incident disrupted hospital activities and violated the sanctity of healthcare facilities, which are expected to remain safe spaces for both patients and medical professionals.

Professor Peter also alleged that he was shoved and exposed to teargas while attempting to engage the operatives for clarification during the incident, describing the operation as “barbaric, degrading and inhuman” and insisting it amounted to physical, emotional, and institutional abuse of medical personnel.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, however, denied allegations of brutality, stating that its operatives only visited the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect under investigation. The Commission said its officers engaged hospital authorities, including the Chief Medical Director, and later withdrew peacefully after encountering resistance during initial inquiries. It maintained that the visit did not disrupt hospital operations and was carried out in line with standard investigative procedures.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting, the NMA declared its intention to seek ₦1 billion in damages from the EFCC over the alleged assault. The communiqué, signed by Professor Aniekan Peter, Secretary Dr. Ighorodje Edesiri, and read by Assistant Secretary Dr. Unyime Ndoh, also demanded a public apology and the prosecution of officers allegedly involved in the incident.

The association further announced an indefinite withdrawal of services in the state until its demands are met. It also stated that its members would suspend medical services to EFCC personnel and their relatives until the matter is resolved.

The NMA stressed that hospitals must remain protected environments where doctors can carry out their duties without intimidation or interference from security agencies. It warned that failure to address the incident could set a dangerous precedent for future interactions between law enforcement agencies and healthcare institutions.

The development has sparked renewed debate over how security operatives conduct enforcement operations in sensitive medical environments, where patient care is ongoing. As of press time, the EFCC has not issued any further statement beyond its initial clarification.

NMA Demands ₦1bn Damages After Alleged EFCC Attack on Doctor

Lady Pharmacists Warn of Japa Syndrome, Fake Drugs, Weak Healthcare System

The Association of Lady Pharmacists of Nigeria (ALPs) has raised serious concerns over the worsening Japa syndrome (health worker migration), rising circulation of fake and substandard drugs, poor healthcare infrastructure, and increasing substance abuse among young Nigerians, warning that these challenges are undermining the country’s healthcare system.

The warning came ahead of the association’s 17th Biennial Conference scheduled to hold in Enugu from May 11 to 16, 2026. The conference is expected to bring together healthcare professionals, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss solutions to Nigeria’s growing health sector challenges.

The conference, themed “Women and Resilience: Sustaining Health and Wellness in Challenging Times,” will focus on key issues affecting healthcare delivery in Nigeria. These include artificial intelligence in healthcare, medicine security, mental health, drug abuse prevention, and strategies for strengthening women’s roles in the health sector.

National Chairman of ALPs, Pharm. Mnena Scholastica Lan, said the ongoing migration of healthcare workers abroad is placing severe pressure on Nigeria’s already fragile health system. She noted that many young pharmacists and other health professionals are leaving the country due to poor working conditions, low remuneration and limited career opportunities.

According to her, the Japa syndrome has become a major threat to healthcare sustainability, as newly trained pharmacists struggle to secure internships, NYSC placements and employment opportunities within the country. She added that these frustrations are driving many to seek better prospects abroad, while several experienced pharmacists have also relocated.

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Lan further lamented the poor state of healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria, saying many public hospitals lack basic equipment needed for effective medical care. She recounted her experience at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where critical care units were poorly equipped, including situations where drip stands were unavailable and makeshift arrangements were used for patient care. She noted that conditions improved only after infrastructural intervention by partners.

She stressed that even highly skilled healthcare professionals cannot deliver quality services without adequate infrastructure, adding that improved investment in equipment and training would significantly strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.

The association also raised alarm over the growing prevalence of fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria, describing it as a serious public health threat. Lan said the problem is driven largely by greed and weak ethical standards, with some individuals deliberately producing counterfeit medicines for profit.

She warned that fake drugs, particularly those used in critical treatments such as cancer care, are leading to treatment failure, complications and avoidable deaths. She also cautioned Nigerians against purchasing medicines from roadside vendors, describing such products as unsafe and potentially dangerous.

Lan referenced the efforts of the late Prof. Dora Akunyili in the fight against counterfeit drugs, calling for renewed national commitment to safeguarding the pharmaceutical sector.

The ALPs chairman also expressed concern over rising drug abuse among Nigerian youths, describing it as a growing public health emergency. She said unemployment, frustration and lack of awareness are contributing to increased substance abuse across communities, especially among young people.

She added that the association has continued to carry out drug abuse awareness campaigns in schools and communities to educate young Nigerians on the dangers of substance misuse.

On maternal health, Lan identified delays in seeking medical care as a major cause of maternal deaths in Nigeria. She said many deaths could be prevented if families and communities respond faster during emergencies.

According to her, a significant proportion of maternal mortality cases are linked to behavioural delays, including late hospital visits and poor emergency response.

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Dr. Titilayo Onedo, said the upcoming conference will focus on practical solutions to improve the welfare of women in healthcare and strengthen resilience in a challenging working environment.

She noted that female healthcare professionals continue to face the dual burden of professional responsibilities and family obligations, especially within a struggling health system.

Lady Pharmacists Warn of Japa Syndrome, Fake Drugs, Weak Healthcare System

No Evidence Of Hantavirus In Nigeria — NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that there is currently no evidence of hantavirus cases in Nigeria, while reassuring Nigerians that the country remains on heightened surveillance for emerging infectious diseases. The agency said it continues to monitor global health developments and strengthen its systems to quickly detect and respond to any unusual disease patterns.

The NCDC explained that hantaviruses are a group of viruses mainly carried by rodents such as rats and mice. Humans can become infected through direct contact with infected rodents or by exposure to contaminated urine, droppings, saliva, or dust particles from rodent-infested environments.

The agency noted that hantavirus infection, although rare, can lead to serious illness in some cases. It listed symptoms as including fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, and gastrointestinal issues, while severe cases may progress to difficulty breathing and other respiratory complications.

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Health officials also clarified that while some strains of the virus, such as the Andes virus, have been linked to limited human-to-human transmission in rare circumstances, there is no evidence of any such transmission or outbreak in Nigeria.

In a public health advisory, the NCDC stated that the overall risk to the general public remains low but advised Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene and environmental sanitation to reduce exposure to rodents and other disease carriers.

The agency recommended that households and communities keep surroundings clean to prevent rodent infestation, store food securely in sealed containers, dispose of waste properly, avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, and use protective equipment when cleaning contaminated areas. It also encouraged regular handwashing and strict infection prevention practices in both communities and healthcare facilities.

The NCDC further assured Nigerians that the country’s disease surveillance system remains active and capable of detecting and responding to outbreaks. It said lessons from previous public health emergencies, including Lassa fever, COVID-19, cholera, and mpox, have strengthened Nigeria’s preparedness and response capacity.

Officials urged the public not to panic, stressing that there is currently no confirmed case of hantavirus infection in the country. They also warned against misinformation, advising Nigerians to rely only on verified updates from official health sources.

As of the time of filing this report, the NCDC maintains that Nigeria remains free of hantavirus cases while continuing routine monitoring of global and local health threats.

No Evidence Of Hantavirus In Nigeria — NCDC