Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday evening reportedly invaded a private hospital in Abuja and attempted to arrest a critically ill patient receiving treatment, despite the existence of a restraining court order.
The incident, said to have occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on February 17, 2026, involved Akpa Achema Stephen, who is currently admitted at a private medical facility in the Federal Capital Territory following severe health complications allegedly linked to his earlier detention.
According to sources familiar with the matter, armed police officers stormed the hospital premises and insisted on taking the patient into custody. The sources claimed the officers were informed that a valid and binding court order restrained them from arresting or further detaining him, but they allegedly proceeded regardless.
The patient is said to be undergoing treatment for life-threatening injuries reportedly sustained while in custody. Hospital staff were said to have expressed concern over his medical condition at the time of the attempted arrest.
Details surrounding the circumstances of his initial detention and the nature of the restraining court order were not immediately made public. It remains unclear whether the police eventually carried out the arrest or withdrew from the hospital premises.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The development has raised fresh concerns among observers about compliance with court orders and the protection of patients’ rights within medical facilities.
