Panic broke out at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, on Monday morning after teargas reportedly fired by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to disperse protesters drifted into the hospital premises, leaving patients and caregivers struggling to breathe.Reports indicate that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had earlier arrived at the EFCC facility alongside hundreds of supporters, leading to increased security deployment and heavy traffic along the Jabi–Airport Road corridor.Tension escalated when security operatives attempted to disperse the gathering. Shortly after teargas canisters were released, fumes spread toward the nearby hospital, causing distress among vulnerable patients, including pregnant women and children receiving medical care.Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes within the hospital as patients and visitors hurried to protect themselves from the choking smoke. Some covered their noses with face masks and pieces of cloth while seeking safer areas inside the facility.One pregnant woman, who spoke during her antenatal visit, recounted the frightening experience.“Even inside the hospital, everyone was struggling to breathe. My eyes were tearing, and I couldn’t stop coughing. People were running into each other in panic. It was a terrible experience,” she said.She also raised concerns about the proximity of the anti-graft agency’s office to a major healthcare facility, stressing that the use of teargas so close to sick and vulnerable patients poses serious health risks.
