DSS Arrests Killers Of Abducted Prof Ekanem

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the gang leader and another who allegedly kidnapped and murdered a prominent professor of neurology, Ekanem Philip Ephraim, in 2023.

The gang leader, a 24-year-old Patrick Essien Etim and his accomplice, Bassey Antiha Asuquo, 40, were apprehended at a medical facility in Cross River State on December 27, while planning to kidnap another medical bigwig.

According to credible sources, the DSS had been tracking the kidnap kingpin since Ephraim’s killing in July 2023, when gunmen posing as patients abducted her.

The source also said the duo had confessed to the crime, admitting that they killed the professor after collecting multiple ransoms from her family.

According to the sources, “It has been two years of torment for her loved ones, not knowing what happened to the professor. I believe that, with this arrest, her family and loved ones will be able to finally have some peace and the much needed closure that they deserve.

“This huge breakthrough underscores the commitment of the DSS in reverting to covertness in its operations and restoring public safety across the country,” the source said.

According to the security source, the suspects also owned up to kidnapping other victims and vandalising electricity cables with one Isaac Ekpeyong, who was also arrested by the operatives.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Professor Ekanem was abducted on July 13, 2023 by gunmen.who posed as patients at her private clinic at Atimbo Road, Calabar, Cross River State capital.

Her kidnap sparked statewide protests by the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) which embarked on an indefinite strike that crippled the health sector for over a week in a bid to prevail on government to rescue the deceased professor.