UYO — Health unions in Akwa Ibom State have suspended their indefinite strike following a government-brokered resolution. Governor Umo Eno convened a stakeholders meeting on May 15, 2026, that brought together the EFCC, hospital management, and health workers.
The strike began after armed EFCC operatives raided the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital on May 12 and arrested Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon. Doctors and other health workers immediately downed tools in protest.
At the May 15 meeting, all parties agreed to suspend hostilities. A communique released on Monday confirmed the outcome. All health sector unions agreed to return to work in the interest of public health and industrial harmony.
The Akwa Ibom State Government commended the EFCC chairman for ordering an internal investigation into the conduct of the operatives involved. The Coordinating Minister of Health also constituted a panel of inquiry to examine the incident.
What Was Agreed
The communique states that all parties will refrain from media exchanges that could escalate tensions or prejudice ongoing investigations. A liaison committee has been set up to monitor the implementation of the resolutions reached.
The committee includes representatives from the state government, UUTH management, the EFCC, and health sector unions. Its mandate is to prevent a repeat of similar incidents and ensure smoother communication between law enforcement and health institutions.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Medical Association said it will continue to monitor the situation. NMA President Bala Audu said the suspension of the strike is a positive step. However, he warned that the NMA expects full accountability from the EFCC for what happened.
Patients Can Now Access Care
With the strike suspended, patients at UUTH can now access emergency and routine medical services again. Health officials in Akwa Ibom said the hospital will work to clear the backlog of patients who could not be seen during the week-long work stoppage.
Several patients reportedly developed complications during the strike period. Health advocates in the state said the incident shows why health facilities must be treated as protected zones. They called for legislation that prevents security agencies from conducting raids on hospitals without prior coordination with health authorities.
The NMA’s call for a full public inquiry into the EFCC raid remains on the table. The Presidency has not yet responded to that demand. Observers say the government must address the root cause of the conflict to prevent a similar crisis from happening elsewhere in Nigeria.
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