The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder of Professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim, a renowned neurology professor. The suspects, identified as 23-year-old Patrick Essien Etim and 40-year-old Bassey Antiha Asuquo, were taken into custody on December 27 at a medical facility in Cross River State. According to a reliable security source, the DSS had been monitoring the kidnapping syndicate since Professor Ephraim’s abduction in July 2023.
Professor Ephraim was abducted from her private clinic in Calabar by armed men posing as patients. Her family received multiple ransom demands, which they fulfilled, but she was killed nonetheless. The suspects have confessed to the crime, revealing that they collected ransom payments from the family before killing her. The uncertainty surrounding her fate had caused significant distress to her family and colleagues.
The arrests are seen as a major breakthrough in the case, with the DSS attributing their success to enhanced covert intelligence operations. The suspects are also believed to have been involved in other kidnapping operations and acts of vandalism, including the destruction of electricity infrastructure. Another suspect, Isaac Ekpeyong, has been arrested in connection with the crimes.
The abduction of Professor Ephraim had sparked widespread outrage in Cross River State, prompting the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to embark on an indefinite strike in July 2023. The strike severely disrupted healthcare services in the state for over a week, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The DSS’s efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice have been welcomed as a significant step towards enhancing public safety. Investigations are ongoing, with security agencies working to uncover the full scope of the gang’s activities. The arrests may finally bring closure to Professor Ephraim’s family and colleagues, who have endured immense pain and uncertainty for nearly two years. The case underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between security agencies to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes.