16.17.2026
Medical workers and patients at the Federal Medical Centre Abuja were gasping for air as the Economic and Financial Crimes agents fired teargas at protesters in the vicinity.
On Monday former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai had arrived the EFCC headquarters based on an invitation, he arrived with a throng of his supporters and so did the sympathisers of the ruling party who want El-Rufai to be prosecute.
The EFCC in order to disperse the supporters of El- Rufai fired the tears gas which drifted into the FMC which is in the close by vicinity in the Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory. The fumes quickly spread into the wards and offices, causing distress among patients, including pregnant women and children who were receiving treatment.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion as patients scrambled for safety within the hospital complex. Some were seen hurriedly covering their noses with face masks and pieces of cloth to shield themselves from the choking smoke.
“Even inside the hospital, everyone was struggling to breathe. My eyes were filled with tears, I was coughing, and it wasn’t just me.
We were running into each other in panic. It was not a good experience at all,” a pregnant woman told the Vanguard.
“They didn’t take into consideration there is a health facility around It’s not a good option at all, especially in a place where there are sick people, pregnant women and children.” she added.
The EFCC did not issue an official statement on the incident or address concerns over the impact of the teargas on patients at the medical facility.