Teargas Fired at EFCC Protest Drifts into Abuja Hospital, Panic Ensues

Panic broke out at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday morning after teargas canisters allegedly fired by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) drifted into the hospital premises. The incident left patients, including pregnant women, gasping for breath.

The incident occurred following a mass protest by hundreds of loyalists of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the EFCC headquarters. The former governor had arrived at the anti-graft agency’s office earlier in the day in response to an invitation linked to alleged multi-billion-naira corruption during his eight-year tenure in office.

Mr. El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, was said to have driven into the EFCC facility under heavy security, accompanied by political associates and supporters who had gathered at the commission’s entrance since the early hours of Monday.

The large turnout prompted a massive security reinforcement around the premises, with armed operatives deployed strategically. The gathering caused severe gridlock along the busy Jabi-Airport Road corridor, paralysing vehicular movement for hours.

According to sources, tensions escalated when security personnel moved to disperse the protesters after repeated warnings to vacate the area were allegedly ignored. Multiple teargas canisters were subsequently discharged into the crowd.

However, the fumes drifted across the perimeter fence of the EFCC complex into the adjoining Federal Medical Centre, disrupting medical services and triggering widespread panic among patients and staff.

A hospital staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the scene as chaotic, with patients coughing uncontrollably and experiencing burning eyes and streaming tears. Nurses were reportedly trying to calm patients while also struggling with the effects of the teargas.

A pregnant woman at the hospital for routine antenatal care described the experience as traumatic, questioning the decision to deploy chemical agents so close to a medical facility. She expressed concern about the potential risk to her unborn baby.

Witnesses reported that some patients covered their noses with face masks and pieces of cloth, while others retreated deeper into wards. Medical personnel were seen shutting windows and doors and evacuating vulnerable patients from exposed areas.

The close proximity of the EFCC headquarters to the Federal Medical Centre has drawn criticism from civil society observers, who argue that crowd-control tactics must take into account nearby sensitive facilities such as hospitals.

The former governor’s invitation is reportedly connected to allegations of financial misappropriation, diversion of public funds, and questionable contract awards during his tenure. Investigators are said to be examining transactions allegedly totalling over N36 billion.