The Department of State Services (DSS) announced the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder of Professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim, a renowned neurology professor. The suspects, 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 seized from her private clinic in Calabar by armed men posing as patients. Her family received multiple ransom demands, which they fulfilled, yet she was killed nonetheless. The suspects have confessed to the crime, admitting that they collected the ransom payments before murdering her. Their arrests are seen as a major breakthrough, with the DSS attributing the success to enhanced covert intelligence operations.
The suspects are also believed to have participated in other kidnappings and acts of vandalism, including the destruction of electricity infrastructure. Another suspect, Isaac Ekpeyong, has been arrested in connection with the crimes. The abduction sparked widespread outrage in Cross River State, prompting the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to launch an indefinite strike in July 2023. The strike disrupted healthcare services in the state for over a week, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The DSS’s efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice have been welcomed as a significant step toward 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.
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