Diocese of Calabar, John Wesley Circuit of the Methodist Church Nigeria has asked the Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, to expedite action in the rescue of kidnapped professor of neurology (medicine), with University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, who has been in kidnappers’ den since last year.
The cleric gave the charge during the 48th Annual Synod of Calabar Diocese hosted by John Wesley Ikang Unit in Bakassi local government area of Cross River State at the weekend.
The clergymen urged Otu not to sweep the case of kidnapped professor under the carpet, but ensure that she is rescued so that she can be freed to join her loved ones and attend to her patients.
Ekanem was abducted on July 13, 2023 at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church on Atimbo Road in Calabar Municipality local government area and taken to an unknown destination.
She was tricked by kidnappers that a patient was in a critical state and needed medical attention, but the information was false as she was abducted in the process.
The synod chaired by archbishop/bishop of Calabar, Most Rev’d Chimezuo Nwankpa, assisted by outgoing lay president of the diocese, Prof. Miranda Dosunmu, urged the state governor to do everything within his reach to ensure that the abducted medical expert regains her freedom.
A communique issued at the 48th Synod which lasted for four days at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Ikang Bakassi local government area, Cross River State signed by Prof. Miranda Dosunmu, chairman communique committee, Elder Offiong Unoh, emphasized on the rescue of kidnapped victim.
“Ensure that Prof. Ekanem Ephraim is rescued,” the communique maintained.
The communique called for the overhauling of the nation’s security architecture to overcome insecurity challenges.
Apart from the conference asking youths to embrace skills acquisition programme initiated by Methodist Church, the confab also advocated sanction for the operators of the boat mishap which led to death of Nollywood stars at Anam River in Delta State.
