Nearly two years after the kidnapping and murder of renowned neurology professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim, agents from the Department of State Services (DSS) have detained the accused gang leader.
It is understood that the main suspect, Patrick Essien Etim, 23, and his accomplice, Bassey Antiha Asuquo, 40, were taken into custody at a Cross River State medical facility.
A security source told Daily Trust that the DSS, which had been monitoring the kidnapping syndicate’s operations since the professor’s death in July 2023, conducted extensive intelligence-led investigations prior to the arrest.
The source added that the suspects had pretended to be patients in order to kidnap the professor from her Calabar private medical facility.
“Since the professor’s tragic death in 2023, the DSS had been pursuing the gang,” the insider stated.
According to investigations, the perpetrators obtained several ransom payments from the victim’s relatives before killing her.
According to reports, the two admitted their involvement in the professor’s kidnapping and murder during questioning.
According to a DSS source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the victim’s family was relieved after years of uncertainty following the arrest.
“Her loved ones have been tormented for the past two years, not knowing what happened to the professor.” The insider stated, “I think that this arrest will allow her family and loved ones to finally have some peace and the much-needed closure that they deserve.”
According to reports, the accused also acknowledged committing further crimes, such as kidnapping more victims and damaging electrical connections in some areas of the state.
Security sources claim that Isaac Ekpeyong, another suspect, was also detained in relation to the crimes.
Remember the July 13, 2023, kidnapping of Professor Ephraim by armed men posing as patients at her private clinic on Atimbo Road in Calabar?
Cross River State was outraged by her kidnapping, especially among the medical community.
The Nigeria Medical Association’s Cross River State branch organized statewide demonstrations and went on an indefinite strike after she vanished in order to put pressure on the government and security services to ensure her return.
Because doctors withdrew their services in support of their kidnapped colleague, the state’s healthcare system was severely hampered for more than a week.
As operations continue to dismantle the remaining members of the criminal network, security sources said the suspects would be charged following the completion of investigations.
